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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35069-8.txt b/35069-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..20d5f76 --- /dev/null +++ b/35069-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13810 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sign of Flame, by E. Werner + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Sign of Flame + +Author: E. Werner + +Translator: Eva Freeman Hart + E. Van Gerpen + +Release Date: January 25, 2011 [EBook #35069] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIGN OF FLAME *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Page scan source: + http://www.archive.org/details/signofflame00werniala + + + + + + +[Illustration: "My son'. My only child! Do you not know your mother?" +Hartmut retreated, startled. "My mother is dead," he said in a low +tone. Page 26. _The Sign of Flame_.] + + + + + + + THE SIGN OF FLAME. + + + + FROM THE GERMAN OF E. WERNER + + + + TRANSLATED BY + + EVA FREEMAN HART AND E. VAN GERPEN + + + + + "Give me a nook and a book, + And let the proud world spin round." + + + + A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, + 52-58 DUANE STREET, NEW YORK + + + + + + + Copyright, 1902. BY A. L. BURT COMPANY. + + THE SIGN OF FLAME. + + Translated by Eva Freeman Hart and E. Van Gerpen. + + + + + + + THE SIGN OF FLAME + + + + + CHAPTER I. + + +Through the gray fog of an autumn morning a flock of birds took flight; +sweeping now, as if in farewell, close to the firs, so recently their +home--rising now to a goodly height, directing their flight toward the +south, and disappearing slowly in the veiled distance. + +The gloomy eyes of a man standing at a window of the large castle-like +mansion situated at the edge of the forest, followed this flight. + +He was of tall stature and powerful in physique; the erect bearing +would have betrayed the soldier even without the uniform which he wore: +his features not handsome but strong; hair light, and eyes blue; in +short, a typical German in appearance; but something like a shadow +rested on those features, and the high brow bore deeper furrows than +the years seemed to warrant. + +"There, the birds are already leaving," he said, pointing to the flock +which fluttered in the distance until lost entirely in the mass of fog. +"The autumn is here in nature and also in our lives." + +"Not yet in yours," interrupted his companion. "You are standing in +full strength at the height of your life." + +"Perhaps so considering years; but I feel as if old age would approach +me sooner than any one else. I feel much like the autumn of the year." + +The other gentleman, who was in civilian dress, was probably older than +his companion. His stature was of medium height and frail. At first +sight he appeared almost insignificant beside the powerful form of the +officer, but the pale, sharply outlined face bore an expression of +cold, superior calm; and the sarcastic line around the thin lips proved +that behind the cold composure expressed in his whole manner something +deeper lay concealed. + +He now shook his head with displeasure. + +"You take life too hard, Falkenried," he said reproachfully; "you have +changed remarkably in these last years. He who has seen you as a young +officer, merry as the day, would not recognize you now. And why all +this? The shadow which once clouded your life has long ago vanished; +you are heart and soul a soldier; you receive distinction at every +opportunity; an important position is assured you in the near future; +and, what is best--you have kept your son." + +Falkenried did not reply; he folded his arms and again looked out into +the gray distance. The other continued: + +"The boy has grown as handsome as a picture in these last few years. I +was quite surprised when I saw him, and even you confess that he is +extraordinarily gifted, and, moreover, in several respects is endowed +with absolute genius." + +"I wish Hartmut were less gifted and had more character instead," +Falkenried said in almost harsh tones. "He can make poetry and learn +languages as if it were play, but as soon as he begins earnest study he +remains far behind the others; while as to military strategy, nothing +whatever can be done with him. You have no idea, Wallmoden, what iron +severity I have to bring to bear on that." + +"I only fear that you do not accomplish much with this severity," +interrupted Wallmoden. "You should have followed my advice and sent +your son to the University. That he is not cut out for a soldier you +ought now finally to see." + +"He must and shall be fit for it; it is the only thing possible for his +unruly disposition, which chafes under every curb and feels every duty +a burden. The University--the life of a student--would give him fullest +liberty. Nothing but the iron discipline to which he has to bow keeps +him in check." + +"Yes, for a while; but can it force him in the future? You should not +deceive yourself. His are, unfortunately, inherited faults, which may +possibly be suppressed, but never uprooted. Hartmut is in appearance +the image of his mother; he has her features--her eyes." + +"Yes, I know," Falkenried said, gloomily, "her dark, demoniacal, +glowing eyes, which knew how to charm everything----" + +"And which became your ruin," completed Wallmoden. "How did I not warn +and implore against them, but you would not listen to anything. Passion +had taken hold of you like a fever and held you in bonds altogether. I +have never been able to understand it." + +A bitter smile flitted around Falkenried's mouth. + +"I believe that. You, the cool, calculating diplomat who carefully +measure every step, are safe from such charms." + +"I should at least be more careful in my choice. Your marriage brought +misfortune with it from the beginning. A wife of foreign race and +blood--of wild Slavian nature, without character, without any +understanding for that which is custom and duty to us, and you with +your strict principles--your irritable sense of honor--it had finally +to come to such an end. And I believe you loved her up to the +separation in spite of everything!" + +"No," said Falkenried harshly. "The illusion vanished in the first +year. I saw only too clearly--but I shuddered at the idea of laying my +domestic miseries open to the world by a divorce. I bore it until no +choice was left me--until I finally--but enough of it!" + +He turned quickly, and again looked out of the window. There was +suppressed torture in the sudden breaking off. + +"Yes, it needed much to tear a nature like yours from the roots," +Wallmoden said seriously; "but nevertheless the separation left you +free from the unfortunate claim, and with that you should have also +buried the reminiscences." + +"One cannot bury such reminiscences; they always rise up again from the +supposed grave, and just now----" Falkenried broke off suddenly. + +"Just now--what do you mean?" + +"Nothing; let us speak of other things. You have been at Burgsdorf +since the day before yesterday. How long do you intend to stay?" + +"Perhaps two weeks. I have not much time at my disposal, and am +Willibald's guardian really only in name, since the diplomatic service +keeps me mostly in foreign countries. In fact, the guardianship rests +in the hands of my sister, who rules everything, anyhow." + +"Yes, Regine is well up to her position," assented Falkenried. "She +rules the large estates and numerous people like a man." + +"And issues commands from morning to night like a sergeant," completed +Wallmoden. "With all due appreciation for her excellent qualities, I +always feel a slight rising of the hair at the prospect of a visit to +Burgsdorf, and I return from there regularly with shattered nerves. +Real primitive conditions rule in that place. Willibald is actually a +young bear, but the ideal of his mother for all that. She does her best +to raise him an ignorant young country squire. All interposition is of +no use, for he has every inclination for it, anyway." + +The entrance of a servant interrupted them. He handed a card to +Falkenried, which the latter glanced at hastily. + +"Herr Egern, Solicitor. Very well, show the gentleman in." + +"Have you a business engagement?" asked Wallmoden, rising. "I will not +disturb you." + +"On the contrary, I beg you to remain. I have been advised of this +visit, and know what will be discussed. It concerns----" + +He did not conclude, for the door opened and the one announced entered. + +He seemed surprised not to find the officer alone, as he had expected, +but the latter took no notice of the surprise. + +"Herr Egern, Solicitor--Herr von Wallmoden, Secretary of the +Ambassador." + +The barrister bowed with cool courtesy, and accepted the offered chair. + +"I probably have the honor of being familiar to you, Herr Major," he +began. "As counsel for your wife, I had occasional cause to meet you +personally in that suit for divorce." + +He stopped, and seemed to expect an answer, but Major Falkenried only +bowed in mute assent. Wallmoden now began to be attentive. He could now +understand the strangely irritable mood in which he had found his +friend upon his arrival. + +"I come to-day also in the name of my former client," continued the +lawyer. "She has asked me--may I speak freely?" + +He cast a glance at the Secretary, but Falkenried said shortly: + +"Herr von Wallmoden is my friend, and as such is familiar with the +case. I beg you to speak without restraint." + +"Very well, then--the lady has returned to Germany after long years of +absence, and naturally wishes to see her son. She has already written +to you on that behalf, but has not received an answer." + +"I should consider that a sufficient answer. I do not desire this +meeting, and therefore shall not permit it." + +"That sounds very harsh, Herr Major. Frau von Falkenried has +surely----" + +"Frau Zalika Rojanow, you mean to say," interrupted the Major. "She +resumed her maiden name, so far as I know, when she returned to her +country." + +"The name is of no consequence," replied the lawyer calmly. "The sole +consideration here is the perfectly justifiable wish of a mother, which +the father cannot and must not deny, even when, as in this case, the +son is given to him unconditionally." + +"Must not! And if he should do it, notwithstanding?" + +"Then he oversteps the borders of his rights. I would like to ask you, +Herr Major, to consider the matter calmly before speaking such a +decided 'No.' The rights of a mother cannot be so completely cancelled +by a decision of the court that one may even deny her a meeting with +her only child. The law is upon the side of my client in this case, and +she will enforce it, if my personal appeal is ignored as was her +written request." + +"She may try it then. I will let it come to the test. My son does not +know that his mother is alive, and shall not learn it just yet. I do +not wish that he should see and speak to her, and I shall know how to +prevent it. My 'No' remains unchanged." + +These remarks were given quietly, but upon Falkenried's features there +lay an ashy paleness, and his voice sounded hollow and threatening. The +awful excitement under which he labored was apparent; only with supreme +effort could he force himself to outward calm. The lawyer seemed to +understand the fruitlessness of further effort. He only shrugged his +shoulders. + +"If this be your final decision, then my errand is, of course, +finished, and we must decide later upon further moves. I am sorry to +have disturbed you, Herr Major." + +He took his leave with the same cool politeness with which he had +entered. + +Falkenried sprang up and paced the room stormily after the door had +closed upon the lawyer. A depressing silence reigned for a few moments, +after which Wallmoden spoke half audibly. + +"You ought not to have done that. Zalika will hardly submit to your +'No.' If you remember, she carried on a life-and-death struggle for her +child at that time." + +"But I remained victor. I hope she has not forgotten that." + +"At that time it concerned the possession of the boy," interrupted the +friend. "The mother now only requests to see him again, and you will +not be able to deny her that when she demands it with decision." + +The Major came to a sudden standstill, but there was a scarcely veiled +contempt in his voice as he said: + +"She dares not do that after all that happened. Zalika learned to know +me in our parting hour. She will take care not to force me to extremes +a second time." + +"But she will perhaps try to obtain secretly what you refuse her +openly." + +"That will be impossible; the discipline of our school is too strict. +No relations could be started there of which I would not be notified +immediately." + +Wallmoden did not seem to share this confidence; he shook his head +doubtingly. + +"I confess that I consider your keeping, with such persistence, the +knowledge of his mother's existence from your son a mistake. If he +should hear it now from another source--what then? And you will have to +tell him finally." + +"Perhaps after two years, when he enters life independently. He is +still but a scholar--a mere boy. I cannot yet draw the veil from the +tragedy which was once enacted in the home of his parents--I cannot." + +"Then at least be upon your guard. You know your former wife--know what +can be expected from her. I fear there are no impossibilities for that +woman." + +"Yes, I know her," said Falkenried with boundless bitterness, "and just +for that reason I will protect my son from her at any cost. He shall +not breathe the poison of her presence for even an hour. Rest assured, +I do not underrate the danger of Zalika's return, but as long as +Hartmut remains at my side he will be safe from her, for she will not +approach me again. I pledge you my word for that." + +"We will hope so," returned Wallmoden, rising and giving his hand, "but +do not forget that the greatest danger lies in Hartmut himself. He is +in every respect the son of his mother. I hear you will come with him +to Burgsdorf the day after tomorrow?" + +"Yes; he always spends the short autumn vacation with Willibald. I +myself can probably stay only for the day, but I shall surely come with +him. Au revoir!" + +The Ambassador's Secretary departed, and Falkenried again approached +the window, glancing only hastily after the friend, who bowed once +more. His glance was again lost with the former gloom, in the gray +masses of fog. + +"The son of his mother!" + +The words rang in his ears, but there was no need for another to tell +him that. He had long known it, and it was this knowledge that furrowed +his brow so deeply and caused those heavy sighs. + +He was a man to offer himself to every open danger, but he had +struggled in vain, with all his energy for years, against this +unfortunate inheritance of the blood in his only son. + + + + + CHAPTER II. + + +"Now I request that this utter foolishness shall end, for my patience +is exhausted. There has been an awful turmoil in all Burgsdorf for +three days, as if the place were conjured. Hartmut is full of +foolishness from head to toe. When once he gets free from the rein +which his father draws so tight there is no getting on with him. And +you, of course, go with him through thick and thin, following +obediently everything that your lord and master starts. You are a fine +team!" + +This lecture, delivered in very loud tones, came from the lips of Frau +von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf, who sat at breakfast with her son and +brother. + +The large dining-room was in the lower story of the old mansion, and +was a rather bare room, the glass doors of which led to a broad +terrace, and from there into the garden. Some antlers hung upon the +whitewashed walls, giving evidence of the Nimrod proclivities of former +owners. They were also the only ornament of the room. + +A dozen straightback chairs standing in stiff rows like grenadiers, a +heavy dining table, and two old-fashioned sideboards constituted all of +the furniture, which, as one could see, had already served several +generations. + +Articles of luxury, such as carpets, wallpaper or paintings, were not +there. The inmates were apparently satisfied with the old, inherited +things, although Burgsdorf was one of the richest estates in the +vicinity. + +The appearance of the lady of the house corresponded fully with the +surroundings. She was about forty years old; of tall, powerful figure, +blooming complexion, and strong, heavy features, which were very +energetic, but which could never have been beautiful. Nothing escaped +easily the glance of those sharp, gray eyes; the dark hair was combed +back plainly; the dress was simple and serviceable, and one could see +that her hands knew how to work. + +This robust person lacked gracefulness, certainly, but possessed +something decidedly masculine in carriage and appearance. + +The heir and future lord of Burgsdorf, who was scolded in this way, sat +opposite his mother, listening, as in duty bound, while he helped +himself bountifully to ham and eggs. He was a handsome, ruddy-faced boy +of about seventeen years, with features which might portray great good +nature, but no surplus of intellect. His sunburned face was full of +glowing health, but otherwise bore little resemblance to his mother's. +It lacked her energetic expression. The blue eyes and light hair must +have been an inheritance from the father. With his powerful but awkward +limbs he looked like a young giant, and offered the completest contrast +to his Uncle Wallmoden, who sat at his side, and who now said with a +tinge of sarcasm: + +"You really ought not to make Willibald responsible for the pranks and +tricks. He is certainly the ideal of a well-raised son." + +"I should advise him not to be anything else. Obeying of orders is what +I insist upon," exclaimed Frau von Eschenhagen, slapping the table with +such force as to cause her brother to start nervously. + +"Yes, one learns that under your regime," he replied, "but I would like +to advise you, dear Regine, to do a little more for the mental training +of your son. I do not doubt that he will grow up a splendid farmer +under your leadership, but something more is required in the education +of a future lord, and as Willibald has outgrown tutors, it may be time +to send him off." + +"Send him----" Frau Regine laid down knife and fork in boundless +amazement. "Send him off!" she repeated indignantly. "In gracious name, +where to?" + +"Well, to the University, and later on let him travel, that he may see +something of the world and its people." + +"And that he may be totally ruined in this world and among these +people! No, Herbert, that will not do. I tell you right now. I have +raised my boy in honesty and the fear of God, and have no idea of +letting him go into that Sodom and Gomorrah from which our dear Lord +keeps the rain of fire and brimstone by His long-suffering alone." + +"But you know this Sodom and Gomorrah only by hearsay, Regine," +interrupted Herbert sarcastically. "You have lived in Burgsdorf ever +since your marriage, but your son must one day enter life as a man--you +must acknowledge that." + +"I do not acknowledge anything," declared Frau von Eschenhagen +stubbornly. "Willy shall be a thoroughly capable farmer. He is fitted +for that and does not need your learned trash for it. Or do you, +perhaps, wish to take him in training for a diplomat. That would be +capital fun!" + +She laughed loudly, and Willy, to whom this proposition seemed as +ridiculous, joined in in the same key. + +Herr von Wallmoden did not indulge in this hilarity, which seemed to +jar upon his nerves. He only shrugged his shoulders. + +"I do not intend that, indeed; it would probably be lost pains; but I +and Willibald are now the only representatives of the family, and if I +should remain unmarried----" + +"_If?_ Are you contemplating marriage in your old age?" interrupted his +sister in her inconsiderate manner. + +"I am forty-five years old, dear Regine. That is not usually considered +old in a man," said Wallmoden, somewhat offended. "At any rate, I +consider a late contracted marriage the best, because then one is not +influenced by passion as was Falkenried to his great misfortune, but +one allows reason to guide the decision." + +"May God help me! Must Willy wait until he has fifty years upon his +back and gray hairs upon his head before he marries!" exclaimed Frau +von Eschenhagen, horrified. + +"No; for he must consider the fact that he is an only son and future +lord of the estates; besides, it will depend upon an individual +attachment. What do you say, Willibald?" + +The young future lord, who had just finished his ham and eggs, and was +now turning with unappeased appetite to the _wurst_, was apparently +greatly surprised at having his opinion asked. Such a thing happened so +seldom that he was now thrown into a spell of deep musing, declaring as +the result of it: + +"Yes; I shall probably have to marry some time, but mamma will find me +a wife when the time comes." + +"That she will, my boy," affirmed Frau von Eschenhagen. "That is my +affair; you do not need to worry about it at all. You will remain here +in Burgsdorf, where I shall have you under my eyes. Universities and +travels are not to be considered--that is decided." + +She threw a challenging glance at her brother, but he was regarding +with a kind of horror the enormous amount of eatables which his nephew +was piling upon his plate for the second time. + +"Do you always have such a healthy appetite, Willy?" he asked. + +"Always," assured Willy with satisfaction, taking another huge piece of +bread and butter. + +"Yes; God be thanked, we do not suffer from indigestion here," said +Frau Regine, somewhat pointedly. "We deserve our meals honestly. First +play and work, then eat and drink, and heartily--that keeps soul and +body together. Just look at Willy, how he has prospered with that +treatment. He need never be ashamed to be seen." + +She slapped her brother upon the shoulder in a friendly manner at these +words, but so heartily that Wallmoden hastily pushed his chair out of +her reach. His face betrayed plainly that his hair was "standing on +end" again; but he gave up the enforcing of his rights as guardian in +the face of these primitive conditions. + +Willy, on the contrary, apparently discovered that he had turned out +extraordinarily well, and looked very pleased at this praise of his +mother, who continued now rather vexedly: + +"And Hartmut has not come to breakfast again! He seems to allow himself +all sorts of irregularities here at Burgsdorf, but I shall lecture the +young man when he comes, and make him----" + +"Here he is already!" cried a voice from the garden. + +A shadow fell athwart the bright sunshine that poured in through the +open window, in which there suddenly appeared a youthful form, which +swung itself through from the outside. + +"Boy, are you out of your senses that you enter through the window?" +exclaimed Frau von Eschenhagen indignantly. "What are the doors for?" + +"For Willy and other well-raised people," laughed the intruder +mirthfully. "I always take the shortest route, and this time it led +through this window." + +With one jump he landed in the middle of the room from the high sill. + +Hartmut Falkenried, like the future lord of Burgsdorf, stood at the +border between boyhood and manhood, but beyond that likeness it +required but a glance to see the superiority of Hartmut in every +respect. + +He wore the cadet uniform, which became him wonderfully, but there was +something in his whole appearance indicative of a revolt against the +strict military cut. + +The tall, slender boy was a true picture of youth and beauty, but this +beauty had something strange and foreign about it; the movement and +whole appearance had a wild, unruled element; and not a feature +reminded one of the powerful, soldierly figure and grave composure of +the father. The thick, curly hair of a blue-black color, falling over +the high brow, denoted a son of the South, rather than a German; the +eyes also, which glowed in the youthful face, did not belong to the +cold, calm North; they were mysterious eyes, dark as night, yet full of +hot, passionate fire. Beautiful as they were, there was something +uncanny about them. + +And now the laugh, with which Hartmut looked from one to another of the +assembly, had more of the supercilious about it than of a boy's hearty +mirth. + +"You introduce yourself in a very unconventional manner," said +Wallmoden sharply; "you seem to think that no etiquette is to be +observed at Burgsdorf. I hardly think your father would have permitted +such an entrance into a dining-room." + +"He does not take such liberties with his father," said Frau von +Eschenhagen, who fortunately did not feel the stab which lay for her +also in her brother's words. "So you finally come now, Hartmut, when +we have finished breakfast? But late people do not get anything to +eat--you know that." + +"Yes, I know it," returned Hartmut, quite unconcerned; "therefore I got +the housekeeper to give me some breakfast. You can't starve me out, +Aunt Regine. I am on too good terms with all your people." + +"So you think you will be able to take all sorts of liberties +unpunished," cried the lady of the house angrily. "You break all the +rules of the house; you leave no person nor thing in peace; you stand +all Burgsdorf upon its head! We shall know how to stop all that, my +boy. I shall send a messenger over to your father to-morrow, to ask him +to kindly come for his son, who can be taught no punctuality or +obedience." + +This threat was effective; the boy grew serious and found it best to +yield. + +"Oh, all that is only jesting," he said. "Am I not to utilize the short +vacation----" + +"For all sorts of foolishness?" interrupted Frau von Eschenhagen. +"Willy in all his life has not done so many pranks as you in these last +three days. You will ruin him for me by your bad example and make him +also disobedient." + +"Oh, Willy can't be ruined; all pains are thrown away with him," +confessed Hartmut frankly. + +The young lord did not look, indeed, as if he had any inclination to +disobedience. Quite unconcerned by all this conversation, he calmly +finished his breakfast by still another piece of bread and butter; but +his mother was highly incensed over this remark. + +"You are doubtless extremely sorry for that," she exclaimed. "You +have taken pains enough to ruin him. Very well, it remains as I +said--to-morrow I write to your father." + +"To come for me? You will not do that, Aunt Regine. You are too good to +do that. You know very well how strict papa is--how harshly he can +punish. You surely will not accuse me to him--you have never done so +before." + +"Leave me alone, boy, with your flatteries." Frau Regine's face was +still very grim, but her voice already betrayed a perceptible wavering, +and Hartmut knew how to take the advantage offered. With the artless +frankness of a boy, he laid his arm around her shoulders. + +"I thought you loved me a little bit, Aunt Regine. I--I have +anticipated this trip to Burgsdorf so joyously for weeks. I have longed +until I was sick, for forest and lake, for the green meadows and the +wide, blue sky; I have been so happy here--but, of course, if you do +not want me, I shall leave immediately; you do not need to send me +away." + +His voice sank to a soft, coaxing whisper, while the large, dark eyes +helped with the pleading only too effectively. They could speak more +fervently than the lips; they seemed, indeed, to have peculiar power. + +Frau von Eschenhagen, who to Willy and all Burgsdorf, was the stern, +absolute ruler, now allowed herself to be moved to compliance. + +"Well, then, behave yourself, you Eulenspiegel," she said, running her +fingers through his thick curls. "As to sending you away, you know only +too well that Willy and all my people are perfectly foolish about +you--and so am I." + +Hartmut shouted in his happiness at these last words, and kissed her +hand in fervent gratitude. Then he turned to his friend, who had now +happily mastered his last sandwich, and was regarding the scene before +him in quiet amazement. + +"Are you through with your breakfast at last, Willy? Come on; we wished +to go to the Burgsdorf pond--now don't be so slow and deliberate. +Good-by, Aunt Regine. I see that Uncle Wallmoden is not pleased in the +least that you have pardoned me. Hurrah! Now we are off for the woods." + +And away he dashed over the terraces and down to the garden. There was +in this unruliness an overflowing youthful happiness and strength that +were enchanting; the lad was all life and fire. Willy trotted behind +him like a young bear, and they disappeared in a few seconds behind the +trees and shrubberies. + +"He comes and goes like a whirlwind," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +looking after them. "That boy cannot be restrained when once the reins +are slackened." + +"A dangerous lad!" declared Wallmoden. "He understands how to rule even +you, who otherwise rule supreme. It is the first time in my knowledge +that you pardon disobedience and unpunctuality." + +"Yes, Hartmut has something about him that really bewitches a body," +exclaimed Frau von Eschenhagen, half vexed over her yielding. "When he +looks at one with those glowing, black eyes, and begs and pleads +besides, I would like to see the one who could say no. You are right; +he is a dangerous lad." + +"Yes, very true; but let us leave Hartmut alone now and consider the +education of your own son. You have really decided----" + +"To keep him at home. Do not trouble yourself, Herbert. You may be an +important diplomat and carry the whole political business in your +pockets, but nevertheless I do not surrender my boy to you. He belongs +to me alone, and I keep him--settled!" + +A hearty slap upon the table accompanied this "settled," with which the +reigning mistress of Burgsdorf arose and walked out of doors; but her +brother shrugged his shoulders, and muttered half audibly: "Let him +become a country squire, for all I care--it may be best, anyhow." + + + + + CHAPTER III. + + +In the meantime, Hartmut and Willibald had reached the forest belonging +to the estate. The Burgsdorf pond, a lonely water bordered by rushes in +the midst of the forest, lay motionless, shining in the sunlight of the +quiet morning hour. + +The young lord found for himself a shady place upon the bank, and +devoted himself comfortably and persistently to the interesting +occupation of fishing, while the impatient Hartmut roamed around, +starting a bird here, plucking rushes and flowers there, and finally +indulging in gymnastics upon the trunk of a tree which lay half in the +water. + +"Can you never be quiet in one place? You scare off all the fishes," +said Willy, displeased. "I have not caught a thing to-day." + +"How can you sit for hours in one spot waiting for the stupid +fishes--but, of course, you can roam through field and forest all the +year round whenever you like. You are free--free!" + +"Are you imprisoned?" asked Willy. "Are not you and your companions out +of doors every day?" + +"But never alone--never without restraint and supervision. We are +eternally on duty, even in the hours of recreation. Oh, how I hate +it--this duty and life of slavery!" + +"But, Hartmut, what if your father should hear that?" + +"He would punish me again, then, as usual. He has nothing for me but +severity and punishment. I don't care--it's all the same to me." + +He threw himself upon the grass, but harsh and disagreeable as his +words sounded, there was in them something like a pained, passionate +complaint. + +Willy only shook his head deliberately fastening a new bait to his hook +meanwhile, and deep silence reigned for a few moments. + +Suddenly something dashed down from on high, lightning-like; the water, +just now so motionless, splashed and foamed, and in the next moment a +heron rose high in the air, carrying the struggling, silver-shining +prey in his bill. + +"Bravo! that was a splendid shot," cried Hartmut, starting up, but +Willy scolded vexedly. "The con---- robber strips our whole pond. I +shall tell the forester to keep an eye on him." + +"A robber!" repeated Hartmut, as his eyes followed the heron, which now +disappeared behind the tree-tops. "Yes, surely; but it must be +beautiful--such a free robber's life high up in the air. To dash down +from the heights like a flash of lightning--to grab the booty, then +soar high with it again where no one can follow--that is worthy of the +chase." + +"Hartmut, I actually believe you have a good notion to lead such a +robber's life," said Willy, with the deep horror of a well-raised boy +for such inclinations. + +His companion laughed, but it was again that harsh, strange laugh which +had in it nothing youthful. + +"And if I should have it, they would know how to get it out of me at +the cadets' school. There is obedience--discipline--the Alpha and Omega +of all things, and one finally learns it, too. Willy, have you never +longed for wings?" + +"I? Wings?" ejaculated Willy, whose full attention was again directed +to hook and line. "Nonsense! who could wish for impossibilities?" + +"I wish I had some," cried Hartmut, flaming up. "I wish I were one of +the falcons of which we hear. Then I would soar high up into the blue +air--always higher and higher toward the sun, and would never, never +come back." + +"I think you are crazy," said the young lord calmly; "but I have not +caught anything yet; the fish will not bite at all to-day. I must try +another spot." + +He gathered up his fishing paraphernalia and went to the other side of +the pond. + +Hartmut threw himself upon the ground again. + +How could he expect that the stolid, matter-of-fact Willibald should +harbor thoughts of flying! + +It was one of those autumn days which seem to charm back the summer for +a few short hours--the sunshine was so golden, the air so mild, the +woods so fresh and fragrant. Thousands of brilliant sparkles danced +upon the water; the rushes whispered low and mysteriously as the air +breathed through them. + +Hartmut lay quite motionless, listening to this mystery of whispering +and fluttering. The wild, passionate flame, which had flared up almost +uncannily when he spoke of the bird of prey, had disappeared from his +eyes. Now they were riveted dreamily upon the shining blue of the sky, +with a consuming longing in their depths. + +Light footsteps drew near, almost inaudible on the soft forest soil; +the bushes rustled as if brushed by a silken garment, and parted; a +female figure emerged noiselessly and stopped short, fixing an intent +look upon the young dreamer. + +"Hartmut!" + +He started and sprang up quickly. He did not know the voice, nor the +stranger, but it was a lady, and he bowed chivalrously. + +"Gracious lady----" + +A slender and trembling hand was laid hastily and warningly upon his +arm. + +"Hush--not so loud--your companion might hear us, and I must speak with +you, Hartmut--with you alone." + +She stepped back again and motioned him to follow. Hartmut hesitated a +moment. How came this stranger, whose face was closely veiled, but who, +to judge by her dress, belonged to the highest class, at this lonely +forest pond? And what was the meaning of the familiar "thou" from her +to him, whom she saw now for the first time? But the mystery of the +encounter began to interest him, and he followed her. + +They stopped under the protection of the bushes where they could not be +seen from the other side, and the stranger slowly raised her veil. + +She was no longer in her youth--a woman still in her thirties--but the +face with the dark, flashing eyes possessed a strange fascination, and +the same charm was in the voice, which, even in the whisper, was soft +and deep, with a foreign accent, as if the German which she spoke so +fluently was not her native tongue. + +"Hartmut, look at me. Do you really not remember me? Have you not kept +some recollection from your childhood that tells you who I am?" + +The young man shook his head slowly, and yet there arose in his mind a +remembrance, misty and dreamlike, that told him he did not now hear +this voice for the first time--that he had seen this face before in +times long, long past. Half timidly, half transfixed, he stood there +gazing upon the stranger, who suddenly stretched out both arms toward +him. + +"My son! my only child! do you not know your mother?" + +Hartmut retreated, startled. + +"My mother is dead," he said in a low tone. + +The stranger laughed bitterly; it sounded exactly like that harsh, +unchildlike laugh which had come from the lips of the lad only a short +while ago. + +"So that is it; they have called me dead. They would not leave you even +the memory of your mother. But it is not true, Hartmut. I live--I stand +before you. Look at me! look at my features, which are yours also. They +could not take those from you. Child of my heart, do you not feel that +you belong to me?" + +Still Hartmut stood motionless, looking into the face in which he saw +his own reflected as in a mirror. There were the same features, +the same abundant, blue-black hair; the same large, deep black +eyes--yes--even the strange demoniac expression which glowed like a +flame in the mother's eyes, glimmered as a spark in the eyes of the +son. The natural resemblance showed that they were of the same blood, +and now the voice of that blood woke up in the young man. + +He did not ask for explanations--for proofs; the confused, dream-like +recollections suddenly became clear. Only one more second of +hesitation, then he threw himself into the arms which were open for +him. + +"Mother!" + +In the exclamation lay the glowing devotion of the lad, who had never +known what it was to possess a mother, and who had longed for it with +all his passionate nature. + +His mother! As he lay in her arms while she overwhelmed him with +passionate caresses--with tender, fond names such as he had never +heard, all else disappeared in the flood of overwhelming delight. + +Several minutes passed thus, then Hartmut disengaged himself from the +embrace which would have detained him. + +"Why have you never been with me, mamma?" he asked vehemently. "Why did +they tell me that you were dead?" + +Zalika drew back. In a moment all the tenderness vanished from her +face; a light kindled there of wild, deadly hatred, and the answer came +hissing from her lips: + +"Because your father hates me, my son, and because he did not wish to +leave me even the love of my only child when he thrust me from him." + +Hartmut was silent with consternation. He knew well that no one dared +mention his mother's name in his father's presence--that his father had +once silenced him with the greatest harshness when he had ventured to +ask for her, but he had been too young to muse over the why. + +Zalika did not give him time for it now. She stroked the dark, curly +hair back from the high forehead, and a shadow rested on her face. + +"You have his brow," she said slowly, "but that is the only thing to +remind of him; everything else belongs to me--to me alone. Every +feature tells that you are wholly mine. I knew it would be so." + +Again she embraced him, overwhelming him with caresses, which Hartmut +returned as passionately. It was an intoxication of happiness to +him--like one of the fairy tales of which he had so often dreamed, and +he gave himself up to the charm unquestioningly and unreservedly. + +But now Willy made himself heard on the opposite bank, calling loudly +for his friend, and reminding him that it was time to return home. + +Zalika started. + +"We must part. Nobody must know that I have seen you and spoken with +you, particularly your father. When do you return to him?" + +"In eight days." + +"Not until then?" The tone was triumphant. "I shall see you every day +until then. Be here at the pond to-morrow at the same hour. Dispense +with your companion under some pretext, so that we may be undisturbed. +You will come, Hartmut?" + +"Certainly mother, but----" + +She did not give him time for an excuse, but continued in the same +passionate whisper: + +"Above all, be silent to everybody; do not forget that. Farewell, my +child, my beloved only son. Au revoir!" + +One more fervent kiss upon Hartmut's brow, then she vanished in the +bushes as mysteriously as she had appeared. It was quite time, for +Willy appeared on the scene, his approach being heralded by his heavy +stamping upon the forest ground. + +"Why do you not answer?" he demanded. "I have called three times. Did +you fall asleep? You look as if you had been startled from a dream." + +Hartmut stood as if stunned, gazing upon the bushes in which his mother +had disappeared. At his cousin's words he straightened himself and drew +his hand across his brow. + +"Yes, I have been dreaming," he said, slowly; "quite a wonderful, +strange dream." + +"You might rather have been fishing," said Willy; "just see what a +splendid catch I got over on the other bank. A person ought not to +dream in broad daylight. He ought to be properly occupied, my mother +says--and my mother is always right." + + + + + CHAPTER IV. + + +The families of Falkenried and Wallmoden had been friendly for years. +As owners of adjoining estates they visited each other frequently; the +children grew up together, and many mutual interests drew the bonds of +friendship still closer. + +As both families were only comfortably well off, the sons had their own +way to make, which, after completing their education, Major Hartmut von +Falkenried and Herbert Wallmoden had done. They had been playmates as +children, and had remained true to that friendship when grown to +manhood. + +At one time the parents thought to cement this friendship by a marriage +between the--at that time--Lieutenant Falkenried and Regine Wallmoden. +The young couple seemed in perfect accord with it, and all looked +propitious for the match, when something took place which brought the +plan to a sudden end. + +A cousin of the Wallmoden family--an incorrigible fellow who, through +divers bad capers, had made it impossible to remain at home, had, long +ago, gone out into the wide world. After much travel and a rather +adventurous life, he had landed in Roumania, where he acted as +inspector upon the estates of a rich Bojar. The rich man died, and the +inspector thought best to retrieve his lost fortunes and position in +life by marriage with the widow. + +It was consummated, and he returned to his old home, accompanied by his +wife, for a visit to his relatives, after an absence of more than ten +years. + +Frau von Wallmoden's bloom of youth had long passed, but she brought +with her her daughter by her first marriage--Zalika Rojanow. + +The young girl, hardly seventeen years old, with her foreign beauty and +charm of her glowing temperament, burst like a meteor upon the horizon +of this German country nobility, whose life flowed in such calm, even +channels. + +And she was a strange object in this circle, whose forms and manners +she disregarded with sovereign indifference, and who stared at her as +at a being from another world. There was many a serious shaking of +heads and much condemnation, which was not uttered aloud, because they +saw in the girl only a temporary visitor, who would disappear as +suddenly as she had come into view. + +Just about this time Hartmut Falkenried came from his garrison to the +paternal estates, and became acquainted with the new relatives of his +friends. He saw Zalika and recognized in her his fate. It was one of +those passions which spring up lightning-like--which resemble the +intoxication of a dream, and are paid for only too frequently with the +penance of the whole life. + +Forgotten were the wishes of the parents, his own plans for the +future--forgotten the quiet affection which had drawn him to his +playmate Regine. He no longer had eyes for the domestic flower which +bloomed young and fresh for him; he breathed only the intoxicating +perfume of the foreign wonder-plant. All else disappeared before her, +and in a quiet hour with her he threw himself at her feet, confessing +his love. + +Strangely enough, his feelings were returned. Perhaps it was the truth +of extremes meeting which drew Zalika to a man who was her opposite in +every respect; perhaps she was flattered by the fact that a glance, a +word from her could change the grave, calm and almost gloomy nature of +the young officer to enthusiasm. + +Enough, she accepted his proposal and he was permitted to embrace her +as his betrothed. + +The news of this engagement created a storm in the whole family circle; +entreaties and warnings came from all sides; even Zalika's mother and +stepfather opposed it, but the universal disapproval only increased the +determination of the young couple, and six months later Falkenried led +his young wife into his home. + +But the voices who prophesied misfortune to this marriage were in the +right. The bitterest disappointment followed the short term of +happiness. It had been a dangerous mistake to believe that a woman like +Zalika Rojanow, grown up in boundless freedom and accustomed to the +uncontrolled, extravagant life of the families of the Bojars of her +country, could ever submit herself to German views and conditions. + +To gallop about on fiery horses; to associate freely with men who spent +their time in hunting and gambling, and who surrounded themselves in +their homes with a splendor which went hand in hand with the most +corrupted indebtedness of estates--such was life as she had known it so +far, and the only life which suited her. + +A conception of duty was as foreign to her as the knowledge of her new +position in life. And this woman was to accommodate herself now to the +household of a young officer of but limited means, and to the +conditions of a small German garrison! + +That this was impossible was proved in the first weeks. Zalika began by +throwing aside every consideration, and furnishing her house in her +usual style, squandering heedlessly her by no means insignificant +dowry. + +In vain her husband entreated, remonstrated; he found no hearing. She +had only sarcasm for forms and rules which were holy to him; only a +shrug of the shoulder for his strict sense of honor and ideas of +decorum. + +Very soon they had the most vehement controversies, and Falkenried +recognized too late the serious error which he had committed. He had +counted upon the all-powerful efficacy of love to battle against those +warning voices which had pointed out the difference of descent, +education and character, but he was forced now to recognize that Zalika +had never loved him; that caprice alone, or a sudden outburst of +passion, which died as suddenly, had brought her to his arms. + +She saw in him now only the uncomfortable companion who begrudged her +every pleasure of life; who, with his foolish--his ridiculous ideas of +honor, fettered and bound her on every side. Still, she feared this +man, whose dominant will succeeded always in bowing her characterless +nature under his rod. + +Even the birth of little Hartmut was not sufficient to reconcile this +unhappy marriage; it only held it, apparently, together. Zalika loved +her child passionately; she knew her husband would never permit her to +keep it if they separated. This alone retained her at his side, while +Falkenried bore his domestic misery with concealed pain, putting forth +every effort to hide it at least from the world. + +Nevertheless, the world knew the truth; it knew things of which the +husband did not even dream and which were kept concealed from him +through sheer compassion. + +But finally the day came when the deceived husband was told what was no +secret to others. + +The immediate result following was a duel in which Falkenried's +opponent fell. Falkenried himself was imprisoned, but was soon +pardoned. + +Every one knew that the offended husband had only vindicated his honor. + +In the meantime, steps were taken for a divorce, which was granted in +due time. Zalika made no opposition. She dared not approach her +husband; she trembled before him since that hour of separation, when he +had called her to account; but she made desperate efforts to secure the +possession of her child, fighting as for life. + +It was in vain. Hartmut was given unconditionally to his father, who +knew how to prevent every approach of the mother with iron +inflexibility. + +Zalika was not even allowed to see her son again, and it was only after +convincing herself entirely on that point that she left--returning to +the home of her mother. + +She had seemed lost to and forgotten by her former husband until she +suddenly reappeared in Germany, where Major Falkenried now held an +important position in the large military school at the Residenz. + + * * * * * + +It was about a week after the arrival of Hartmut at Burgsdorf. Frau von +Eschenhagen was in her sitting-room with Major Falkenried, who had but +just arrived. + +The topic of their conversation seemed to be very serious and of a +rather disagreeable nature, for Falkenried listened with a gloomy face +to his friend, who was speaking. + +"I noticed Hartmut's changed demeanor the third or fourth day. The boy, +whose mirth at first knew no bounds, so that I even threatened to send +him back home, suddenly became subdued. He committed no more foolish +pranks, but roamed for hours through the woods alone, and when he +returned was always dreaming with his eyes open, to such an extent that +one had almost to awake him. 'He is beginning to get sensible,' said +Herbert; but I said, 'Things are not going right; there is something +behind all this,' and I questioned my Willy, who also appeared quite +peculiar. He was actually in the plot. He had surprised the two one +day. Hartmut had made him promise to keep silent, and my boy positively +hid something from _me, his mother!_ He confessed only when I got after +him seriously. Well, he will not do it a second time. I have taken care +of that." + +"And Hartmut? What did he say?" interrupted the Major hastily. + +"Nothing at all, for I have not spoken a syllable to him about it. He +would probably have asked me why he should not see and speak to his own +mother, and only--his father can give him the answer to that question." + +"He has probably heard it already from the other side," said Falkenried +bitterly; "but he has hardly learned the truth." + +"I fear so, too, and therefore I did not lose a minute in notifying you +after discovering the affair. But what next?" + +"I shall have to interfere now," replied the Major with forced +composure. "I thank you, Regine. I apprehended trouble when your letter +called me so imperatively. Herbert was right. I ought not to have +allowed my son to leave my side for an hour under the circumstances. +But I believed him safe from every approach here at Burgsdorf. And he +anticipated the trip with such pleasure--he longed for it almost +passionately. I did not have the heart to refuse him. He is happy, +anyway, only when absent from me." + +There was deep pain in the last words, but Frau von Eschenhagen only +shrugged her shoulders. + +"That is not the fault of the boy alone," she said straightforwardly. +"I also keep my Willy under good control, but nevertheless he knows +that he has a mother whose heart is full of him. Hartmut does not know +that of his father. He knows him only from a grave, unapproachable +side. If he had an idea that you idolize him secretly----" + +"He would abuse the knowledge and disarm me with his caressing +tenderness. Shall I allow myself to be ruled by him as every one else +is who comes into his presence? His comrades follow him blindly +although he brings punishment upon them by his pranks. He has your +Willibald completely under control--yes, even his teachers treat him +with particular indulgence. I am the only one he fears, and +consequently the only one he respects." + +"And you think by fear alone to succeed with the boy, who is doubtless +now being overwhelmed with the most senseless caresses! Do not turn +away, Falkenried; you know I have never mentioned that name to you, but +now that it is brought forward so prominently, one may speak it. And +since we happen to be upon the subject, I tell you frankly that nothing +else could be expected since Frau Zalika's appearance. It would have +done no good to have kept Hartmut from Burgsdorf, for one cannot treat +a seventeen-year-old lad like a little child. The mother would have +found her way to him in spite of all--and it was her right. I would +have done just so, too." + +"Her right!" cried the Major angrily. "And you tell me that, Regine?" + +"I say it because I know what it is to have an only child. That you +should take the child from its mother was right--such a mother was not +fit for the raising of a boy--but that you now refuse to let her see +her son again after twelve years is harshness and cruelty, which hatred +alone can teach you. However great her faults may be, that punishment +is too severe." + +Falkenried stared gloomily before him--he might have felt the truth of +the words. Finally he said, slowly: + +"I would never have thought that you would take Zalika's part. I +offended you bitterly once for her sake--I broke a bond----" + +"Which had not even been tied," interrupted Frau von Eschenhagen. "It +was a plan of our parents--nothing more." + +"But the idea was dear and familiar to us from childhood. Do not +attempt to excuse me, Regine; I only know too well what I did at that +time to you and--to myself." + +Regine fixed her clear, gray eyes upon him, but there was a moist gleam +in them as she replied: + +"Well, yes, Hartmut; now since we are both long past our youth, I may, +perhaps, confess that I liked you then. You might have been able to +make something better of me than I am now. I was always a self-willed +child--not easy to rule; but I would have followed you--perhaps you +alone of all the world. When I went to the altar with Eschenhagen three +months after your marriage, matters were reversed. + +"I took the reins into my own hands and began to command, and since then +I have learned it thoroughly---- But now, away with that old story, +long since past. I have not thought hard of you because of it--you know +that. + +"We have remained friends in spite of it, and if you need me now, in +advice as well as deed, I am ready to help you." + +She offered her hand, which he grasped. + +"I know it, Regine, but I alone can advise here. Please send Hartmut to +me. I must speak to him." + +Frau von Eschenhagen arose and left the room, murmuring as she went: +"If only it is not too late already! She blinded and enraptured the +father once. She has probably secured her son now." + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + +Hartmut entered the room and closed the door behind him, but remained +standing near it. Falkenried turned toward him. + +"Come nearer, Hartmut; I must speak with you." + +The youth obeyed, drawing near slowly. + +He already knew that Willibald had had to confess; that his rendezvous +with his mother had been betrayed; but the awe with which he always +approached his father was mingled to-day with defiance, which was not +unnoticed by the Major. + +He scanned the youthful, handsome person of his son with a long, gloomy +glance. + +"My sudden arrival does not seem to surprise you," he began; "you +probably know what brought me here." + +"Yes, father, I surmise it." + +"Very well, we do not need then to continue with preliminaries. You +have learned that your mother is still living. She has approached you +and you are in communication with her. I know it already. When did you +see her for the first time?" + +"Five days ago." + +"And since then you have spoken with her daily?" + +"Yes, near the Burgsdorf pond." + +Question and reply alike sounded curt and calm. + +Hartmut was accustomed to this strict, military manner, even in his +private intercourse with his father, who never allowed a superfluous +word, a hesitation or evasion in the answers. This tone was kept up +even to-day to veil his painful excitement from the eyes of his son. +Hartmut saw only the grave, unmoved face; heard only the sound of cold +severity as the Major continued: + +"I will not make it a reproach to you, as I have never forbidden you +anything regarding it; the subject has never been mentioned between us. +But since matters have gone so far, I will have to break the silence. +You thought your mother dead, and I have silently allowed you to think +so, for I wished to save you from reminiscences which have poisoned my +life. I meant that your youth, at least, should be free from it. It +seems that it cannot be, so you may hear the truth." + +He paused for a moment. It was torture to the man, with his delicate +sense of honor, to talk on this subject before his son, but there was +no longer a choice--he must speak on. + +"I loved your mother passionately when a young officer, and married her +against the wish of my parents, who saw no good to result from a +marriage with a woman of foreign race. They were right, the marriage +was deeply unfortunate, and we finally separated at my desire. I had an +undeniable right to demand the separation, and also the possession of +my son, which was granted me unconditionally. I cannot tell you any +more, for I will not accuse the mother to the son; therefore let this +suffice you." + +Short and harsh as this explanation sounded, it yet made a strange +impression upon Hartmut. The father would not accuse the mother to him, +who had been hearing daily the most bitter accusation, abuse and +slander against the father. + +Zalika had put the whole blame of the separation upon her husband, upon +his unheard-of tyranny, and she found only too willing a listener in +the youth whose unruly nature suffered so intensely under that +severity. And yet those short, earnest words now weighed more than all +the passionate outbursts of the mother. Hartmut felt instinctively upon +which side the truth stood. + +"But now to the most important point," resumed Falkenried. "What has +been the subject of your conversation?" + +Hartmut had not expected this question, and a burning blush suffused +his face. He was silent and looked to the ground. + +"Ah, so! you do not dare to repeat it to me; but I request to know it. +Answer, I command you!" + +But Hartmut remained silent; he only closed his lips more firmly, and +his eyes met his father's with dark defiance. + +Falkenried now drew nearer. + +"You will not speak? Has a command from that side, perhaps, made you +silent? Never mind, your silence says more than words. I see how much +estranged from me you have become, and you would become lost entirely +to me if I should leave you longer under that influence. These meetings +with your mother must be ended. I forbid them. You will accompany me +home to-day and remain under my supervision. Whether it seems cruel to +you or not, it must be so, and you will obey." + +But the Major was mistaken when he thought to bow his son to his will +by a simple command. + +Hartmut had been in a school during these last days where defiance +against the father had been taught him in the most effectual manner. + +"Father, you will not--you cannot command that," he burst forth now +with overpowering vehemence. "It is my mother who is found again; the +only one in the whole world who loves me. I shall not let her be taken +from me again as she has already been taken. I shall not allow myself +to be forced to hate her because you hate her. Threaten--punish me do +whatever you will with me, but I do not obey this time. I will not +obey." + +The whole unruly, passionate nature of the young man was in these +words; the uncanny fire flamed again in his eyes; the hands were +clenched; every fibre throbbed in wild rebellion. He was apparently +decided to do battle against the long-feared father. + +But the burst of anger which he so confidently expected did not come. +Falkenried only looked at him silently, but with a glance of grave, +deep reproach. + +"The only one in the whole world who loves you!" he repeated slowly. +"You have, perhaps, forgotten that you still have a father." + +"Who does not love me, though," cried Hartmut in overwhelming +bitterness. "Only since I have found my mother have I known what love +is." + +"Hartmut!" + +The youth looked up, startled by the strange, pained tone which he +heard for the first time, and the defiance which was about to break +forth again died on his lips. + +"Because I have no pet names and caresses for you; because I have +raised you with seriousness and firmness, do you doubt my love?" said +Falkenried, still in the same voice. "Do you know what this severity +toward my only, my beloved child has cost me?" + +"Father!" + +The word sounded still timid and hesitating, but no longer with the old +fear and awe; it now contained something like budding faith and trust; +like a happy but half-comprehended surprise, and with it Hartmut's eyes +hung as if riveted upon his father's features. Falkenried now put his +hand upon his son's arm, drawing him nearer, while he continued: + +"I once had high ambitions, proud hopes of life, great plans and +aspirations, which came to an end when a blow fell upon me from which I +shall never be able to rally. If I still aspire and struggle, it is +from a sense of duty and because of you, Hartmut. In you centers all my +ambition; to make your future great and happy is the only thing which I +yet desire of life; and your future can be made great, my son, for your +gifts are extraordinary ones; your will is strong in good as well as +evil. But there is yet something dangerous in your nature, which is +less your fault than your doom, and which must be taken in hand in +time, if it is not to develop and dash you into destruction. I had to +be severe to banish this unfortunate tendency; it has not been easy for +me." + +The face of the youth was covered by a deep blush. With panting breath +he seemed to read every word from his father's lips, and now he said in +a whisper, in which the suppressed joy could scarcely be hidden: + +"I have not dared to love you so far. You have always been so cold--so +unapproachable, and I----" + +He broke off and glanced up at his father, who now put his arm around +Hartmut's shoulders, drawing him still closer to him. Then eyes looked +deep into eyes, and the voice of the iron man broke as he said, lowly: + +"You are my only child, Hartmut, the only thing which has remained to +me from a dream of happiness that dispersed in bitterness and +disappointment. I lost much at that time and have borne it; but if I +should lose you--you--I could not bear it." + +His arms closed around his son tightly, as if they could never be +detached. Hartmut had thrown himself sobbing upon his father's breast, +and father and son held each other in a long, passionate embrace. + +Both had forgotten that a shadow from the past still stood +threateningly and separatingly between them. + + * * * * * + +In the meantime, Frau von Eschenhagen, in her dining-room, was giving +Willy a curtain lecture. She had done so, in fact, this morning, but +was of the opinion that a double portion would not come amiss in this +case. The young heir looked completely crushed. He felt himself in the +wrong, as well toward his mother as toward his friend, and yet he was +quite blameless. He allowed himself to be lectured patiently, like an +obedient son, only throwing an occasional sad look over at the supper +which already stood upon the table, although his mother did not take +any notice of it at all. + +"This is what comes of having secrets behind the backs of parents," she +said severely, concluding her lecture. + +"Hartmut is getting what he deserves in yonder; the Major will not +treat him very mildly. I think you will let playing helpmate in such, a +plot alone in the future." + +"But I have not helped in it," Willy defended himself. "I had only +promised to be silent and I had to keep my word." + +"You ought not dare to keep silence to your mother; she is always an +exception," Frau Regine said decidedly. + +"Yes, mamma, Hartmut probably thought so, too, when it concerned his +mother," remarked Willibald, and the remark was so correct that she +could not well say anything against it; but that angered her the more. + +"That is different--entirely different," she said curtly; but the young +lord asked persistently: + +"Why is it entirely different?" + +"Boy, you will kill me yet with your questions and talking," cried his +mother angrily. "That is an affair which you do not and shall not +understand. It is bad enough that Hartmut has brought you in connection +with it at all. Now do you keep quiet, and do not concern yourself +further about it. Do you hear?" + +Willy was dutifully silent. It was perhaps the first time in his life +that he had been reproved for too much talking; besides, his Uncle +Wallmoden, who had just returned from a drive, entered now. + +"Falkenried has already arrived, I hear," he said, approaching his +sister. + +"Yes," she replied. "He came immediately upon receiving my letter." + +"And how has he borne the news?" + +"Outwardly very calm, but I saw only too well how it rent his +heartstrings. He is alone now with Hartmut, and the storm will probably +burst." + +"I am sorry; but I prophesied this turn of affairs when I learned of +Zalika's return. He ought to have spoken then to Hartmut. Now I fear he +will but add a second mistake to the first one by trying to accomplish +a separation by force and dictating. This unfortunate obstinacy which +knows only 'either--or'! It is least of all in the right place here." + +"Yes, the meeting yonder lasts too long for me," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with concern. "I shall go and see how far the two have +gotten, whether it offends the Major or not. Remain here, Herbert; I +shall return directly." + +She left the room, which Wallmoden paced disconsolately. His nephew sat +alone at the supper table, about which nobody seemed to think. He did +not dare to begin eating by himself, for a regular turmoil reigned +to-day in Burgsdorf, and the Frau Mamma was in a very ungracious mood. +But fortunately she returned after a few minutes, and her face was +beaming with satisfaction. + +"The affair is settled in the best way," she said in her short and +decided tone. "He has the boy in his embrace. Hartmut is hanging upon +his father's neck, and the rest will arrange itself easily now. God be +praised! And now you may eat your supper, Willy. The confusion which +has disturbed our whole household has come to an end." + +Willy did not allow himself to be told twice, but made brisk use of the +coveted permission. But Wallmoden shook his head and muttered: "If it +were only truly at an end!" + + + + + CHAPTER VI. + + +Neither Falkenried nor his son had noticed that the door had been +quietly opened and closed again. Hartmut still clung to his father's +neck. He seemed to have lost in a moment all awe and reserve, and was +overwhelmingly lovable in his new-found, stormy caresses, the charm of +which the Major had rightly feared would disarm him. He spoke but +little, but again and again he pressed his lips upon the brow of his +son, looking steadily into the beautiful face, full of life, which +pressed so close to his own. + +Finally Hartmut asked in a low voice: "And--my mother?" + +A shadow passed again over Falkenried's brow, but he did not release +his son from his arms. + +"Your mother will leave Germany as soon as she is convinced that she +must in the future, as in the past, stay away from you," he said, this +time without harshness, but with decision. "You may write to her. I +will allow a correspondence with certain restrictions, but I cannot--I +dare not permit a personal intercourse." + +"Father, think----" + +"I cannot, Hartmut; it is impossible." + +"Do you hate her, then, so very much?" asked the youth reproachfully. +"You wished the separation--not my mother--I know it from herself." + +Falkenried's lips quivered. He was about to speak the bitter words and +tell his son that the separation had been at the command of honor; but +he looked again in those dark, inquiring eyes, and the words died +unspoken. He could not accuse the mother to the son. + +"Let that question rest," he replied gloomily; "I cannot answer it to +you. Perhaps you will learn my reasons later and will understand them. +I cannot spare you the hard choice now. You can belong only to one--the +other you must shun. Accept it as a doom." + +Hartmut bowed his head; he might have felt that nothing further could +be gained. That the meetings with his mother had to end when he +returned to the strict discipline of the school, he knew; but now a +correspondence was permitted, which was more than he had dared to hope +for. + +"Then I will tell mamma so," he said in a crestfallen way. "Now, since +you know everything, I may see her openly, may I not?" + +The Major started; he had not considered this possibility. + +"When were you to see her again?" he asked. + +"To-day, at this hour, at the Burgsdorf pond. She is surely awaiting me +there now." + +Falkenried seemed to battle with himself. A warning voice arose in him +not to allow this leave-taking, yet he felt that to refuse would be +cruel. + +"Will you be back in two hours?" he asked finally. + +"Certainly, father; even earlier if you desire it." + +"Go, then," said the Major, with a deep breath. One could hear how +reluctant was the permission which his sense of duty forced from him. +"We shall drive home as soon as you return. Your vacation ends shortly, +anyway." + +Hartmut, who was just about to leave, came to a standstill. The words +recalled to him what he had entirely forgotten in the last half hour: +the discipline and severity of the service which was awaiting him. +Heretofore he had not dared to betray his aversion to it openly, but +this hour which banished the awe of his father broke also the seal from +his lips. Obeying a sudden impulse, he turned and put his arms again +around the neck of his father. + +"I have a request," he whispered, "a great, great request which you +must grant me; and I know you will do it as a proof that you love me." + +A furrow appeared between the Major's eyebrows as he asked with slight +reproach: "Do you require proofs of it? Well, let's hear it." + +Hartmut nestled still more closely to him; his voice had again that +sweet, coaxing sound which made his prayers so irresistible, and the +dark eyes implored intensely, beseechingly. + +"Do not let me become a soldier, father. I do not love the calling for +which you have decided me. I shall never learn to love it. If I have +bowed until now to your will, it has been with aversion, with secret +grumbling, and I have been unbearably unhappy, only I did not dare to +confess it to you." + +The furrow on Falkenried's brow sank deeper, and he released his son +slowly from his embrace. + +"That means, in other words, that you do not like to obey," he said +harshly, "and just that is more important to you than to any one else." + +"But I cannot bear any compulsion," Hartmut burst forth passionately, +"and the military service is nothing but duty and fetters. To obey +always and eternally--never to have a will of your own--to bow day +after day to an iron discipline and strict, cold forms by which every +individual movement is suppressed. I cannot bear it any longer. +Everything in me demands freedom for light and life. Let me go, father; +do not keep me any longer in these bonds. I die--I suffocate under +them." + +To a man, who was heart and soul a soldier, he could not have done his +cause greater harm than by these imprudent words. It sounded like a +stormy, glowing prayer. His arm yet lay around his father's neck, but +Falkenried now straightened himself suddenly and pushed him back. + +"I should consider the service an honor and no fetter," he said +cuttingly. "It is sad that I should have to recall that to my son's +mind. Freedom--light--life! You think perhaps that one can throw +himself at seventeen years into life and grasp all its treasures. The +longed-for freedom for you would be only recklessness, ruin, +destruction." + +"And what if it should be so!" cried Hartmut, totally beside himself. +"Better go to ruin in freedom than to live in this depression. To me it +is a chain--a fetter--slavery----" + +"Be silent! not a word further," commanded Falkenried so threateningly +that the youth grew silent despite his awful excitement. "You have no +choice, and take care that you do not forget your duty. You must become +an officer and fulfill your duty completely as does every one of your +comrades. When you are of age, I no longer have any power to hinder +you. You may then resign, even if it give me my deathblow to see my +only son flee the service." + +"Father, do you consider me a coward?" Hartmut burst forth. "I could +stand a war--I could fight----" + +"You would fight foolhardily and rush blindly into every danger; and +with this obstinacy which knows no discipline you would destroy +yourself and your men. I know this wild, boundless desire for freedom +and life to which no barrier, no duty is sacred. I know from whom you +have inherited it and where it will finally lead; therefore I keep you +securely in the 'fetters,' no matter whether you hate it or not. You +shall learn to obey and to bow your will while yet there is time; and +you shall learn it. I pledge my word to that." + +Again the old, inflexible harshness sounded in his voice; every line of +tenderness, of softness, had disappeared, and Hartmut knew his father +too well to continue supplication or defiance. He did not answer a +syllable, but his eyes glowed again with that demoniac spark which +robbed him of all his beauty; and around his lips, which were pressed +closely together, there settled a strange, bad expression as he now +turned to go. + +The Major's eyes followed him. Again the warning voice came to him like +a presentiment of evil, and he called his son back. + +"Hartmut, you are sure to be back in time? You give me your word?" + +"Yes, father." The answer sounded grim, but firm. + +"Very well. I shall trust you as a man. I let you go in peace with this +promise which you have given me. Be punctual." + +Hartmut had been gone but a few moments when Wallmoden entered. + +"Are you alone?" he asked, somewhat surprised. "I did not wish to +disturb you, but I saw Hartmut hasten through the garden just now. +Where was he going so late?" + +"To his mother, to take leave of her." + +The Secretary started at this news. "With your consent?" he asked +quickly. + +"Certainly, I have permitted him to go." + +"How imprudent! I should think that you knew now how Zalika manages to +get her own way, and yet you leave your son to her mercy." + +"For only half an hour to say farewell. I could not refuse that. What +do you fear? Surely no force. Hartmut is no longer a child to be borne +into a carriage and carried off in spite of his resistance." + +"But if he should not refuse a flight?" + +"I have his word that he will return in two hours," said the Major with +emphasis. + +"The word of a seventeen-year-old lad!" + +"Who has been raised a soldier and who knows the importance of a word +of honor. That gives me no care; my fear lies in another direction." + +"Regine told me that you were reconciled," remarked Wallmoden, with a +glance upon the still clouded brow of his friend. + +"For a few moments only; after that I had to become again the firm, +severe father. This hour has showed me how hard the task is to bend, to +educate this roving nature. Nevertheless I shall conquer him." + +The Secretary approached the window and looked out in the garden. + +"It is twilight already, and the Burgsdorf pond is half an hour's +distance," he said, half aloud. "You ought to have allowed the +rendezvous only in your presence, if it had to take place." + +"And see Zalika again? Impossible! I could not and would not do that." + +"But if the leave-taking end differently from what you expect--if +Hartmut does not return?" + +"Then he would be a scoundrel to break his word!" burst out Falkenried; +"a deserter, for he carries the sword already at his side. Do not +offend me with such thoughts, Herbert; it is my son of whom you speak." + +"He is also Zalika's son; but do not let us quarrel about that now. +They await you in the dining room. And you will really leave us +to-day?" + +"Yes, in two hours," the Major said, calmly and firmly. "Hartmut will +have returned by that time. My word stands for that." + + + + + CHAPTER VII. + + +The gray shadows of twilight were gathering in forest and field, +becoming closer and denser with every moment. The short, foggy autumn +day drew near its close. Through the heavy-clouded sky the night +lowered sooner than usual. + +A female figure paced impatiently and restlessly up and down the bank +of the Burgsdorf pond. She had drawn the dark cloak tightly around her +shoulders, but was unmindful of her shivering, caused by the cold +evening air. Her whole manner was feverish expectation and intense +listening for the sound of a step which could not as yet be heard. + +Zalika had arranged the meetings with her son for a later hour, when it +was desolate and dim in the forest, since the day Willibald had +surprised them and had to be admitted into the secret. They had parted, +however, before dark, so that Hartmut's late return should not cause +suspicion at Burgsdorf. He had always been punctual, but now his mother +had waited in vain for an hour. + +Did a trifle detain him, or was the secret betrayed? One had to expect +that, since a third party knew it. + +Deathlike silence reigned in the forest; the dry leaves alone rustled +beneath the hem of the gown of the restlessly moving woman. + +Night shades already lingered under the tree-tops; a cloud of mist +floated over the pond where it was lighter and more open; and over +there where the water was bordered by a marsh, whitish-gray veils of +mist arose yet more thickly. The wind blew damp and cold from over +there, like the air of a vault. A light footstep finally sounded at a +distance, coming nearer in the direction of the pond with flying haste. +Now a slender figure appeared, scarcely recognizable in the gathering +dusk. Zalika flew toward him, and in the next moment her son was in her +arms. + +"What has happened?" she demanded, amidst the usual stormy caresses. +"Why do you come so late? I had given up in despair seeing you to-day. +What kept you back?" + +"I could not come any sooner," panted Hartmut, still breathless from +his rapid run. "I come from my father." + +Zalika started. + +"From your father? Then he knows----" + +"Everything." + +"So he is at Burgsdorf? Since when? Who notified him?" + +The young man, with fluttering breath, reported what had happened, but +he had not finished when the bitter laugh of his mother interrupted +him. + +"Naturally they are all in the plot when it concerns the tearing of my +child from me. And your father, he has probably threatened and punished +and made you suffer for the heavy crime of having been in the arms of +your mother?" + +Hartmut shook his head. + +The remembrance of that moment when his father drew him to his breast +stood firm, in spite of the bitterness with which that scene had ended. + +"No," he said in a low voice; "but he commanded me not to see you +again, and requested irrevocable separation from you." + +"And yet you are here? Oh, I knew it!" + +The exclamation was full of joyous victory. + +"Do not triumph too soon, mamma," said the youth bitterly. "I came only +to say farewell." + +"Hartmut!" + +"Father knows it. He allowed me this meeting, and then----" + +"Then he will grasp you again, and you will be lost to me forever, is +it not so?" + +Hartmut did not answer; he folded his mother in his arms, and a wild, +passionate sob, which had in it as much of anger as pain, escaped his +breast. + +It had now grown quite dark; the night had commenced; a cold, gloomy +autumn night, without moon or star shining, but over there upon the +marsh where lately the veils of mist floated, something now shot up +with a bluish light, glimmering dimly in the fog, but growing brighter +and clearer like a flame; now appearing, now disappearing, and with it +a second and a third. The will-o'-the-wisp had commenced its ghostly, +uncanny play. + +"You weep," cried Zalika, pressing her son closely to her; "but I have +seen it coming long ago, and if your Eschenhagen had not betrayed us, +the day you had to return to your father would have brought your forced +choice between separation or--decision." + +"What decision? What do you mean?" asked Hartmut, perplexed. + +Zalika bent over him, and, although they were alone, her voice sank to +a whisper. + +"Will you bow feebly and defenselessly to a tyranny which tears asunder +the sacred bond between mother and child, and which stamps under foot +our rights as well as our love? If you can do that, you are not my son; +you have inherited nothing of the blood that flows in my veins. He sent +you to bid me farewell, and you accept it patiently as a last favor. +Have you really come to take leave of me, perhaps for years? Actually, +have you?" + +"I have to," interrupted the youth despairingly. "You know father and +his iron will. Is there any possibility of anything else?" + +"If you return to him, no. But who forces you?" + +"Mamma, for God's sake!" shrieked Hartmut, terrified. But the +encircling arms did not release him, and the hot, passionate whisper +again reached his ear: + +"What frightens you so at the thought? You will only go with your +mother, who loves you devotedly, and who will henceforth live for you +alone. You have told me repeatedly that you hate the vocation which is +forced upon you, that you languish with longing for freedom. There is +no choice there for you; when you return your father will keep you +irrevocably in the fetters. If he knew that you would die of them, he +would not let you free." + +She had no need to tell that to her son; he knew it better than she +did. Only an hour ago he had seen the full inflexibility of his father, +his hard "You shall learn to obey and bow your will." + +His voice was almost smothered in bitterness as he answered: +"Nevertheless, I must return. I have given my word to be back at +Burgsdorf in two hours." + +"Really," said Zalika, sharply and sarcastically; "I thought so. +Usually you are nothing but a boy, whose every step is prescribed; +whose every moment counted out; who ought not even to have his own +thoughts; but as soon as the retaining of you is concerned, you are +given the independence of a man. Very well; now show that you are not +only grown in words, but that you can also act like a man. A forced +promise has no value. Tear asunder this invincible chain with which +they want to bind you and make yourself free." + +"No--no," murmured Hartmut, with a renewed attempt to free himself. But +he did not succeed. He only turned his face and looked with fixed eyes +out into the night, into the desolate, silent forest darkness and over +yonder where the will-o'-the-wisp still carried on its ghostly dance. + +Those quivering, tremulous flames appeared now everywhere; seeming +to seek and flee from each other, they floated over the ground, +disappearing or dissolving in the ocean of fog, only to reappear +again and again. There was something ghastly yet fascinating in this +spectre-like play; the demoniac charm of the depths which that +treacherous mire concealed. + +"Come with me, my Hartmut," implored Zalika, now in those sweet, +coaxing tones which were so effectively at hers as well as at her son's +command. "I have foreseen everything and prepared for it. I knew that a +day like this had to come. My carriage awaits me half an hour's +distance from here. It will take us to the next station, and before +anybody at Burgsdorf thinks you will not return, the train will have +carried us into the far country. There are freedom, light and +happiness. I will lead you out into the great distant world, and after +you know that, you will breathe with relief and shout like a redeemed +man. I myself know how one released feels. I too have borne that chain +which I riveted myself in foolish error, but I would have broken it in +the first year but for you. Oh, it is sweet, this freedom. You will +feel it, too." + +She knew only too well how to succeed. Freedom, life, light! These +words found a thousand-fold echo in the heart of the young man, whose +passionate thirst for freedom had been so far suppressed. This promised +life shone with a magic splendor like a beacon before him. He needed +only to stretch forth his hand and it was his. + +"My promise," he murmured with a last attempt to gather strength. +"Father will look at me with contempt if----" + +"If you have reached a great, proud future?" Zalika interrupted him +passionately. "Then you can go before him and ask if he dares consider +you with contempt. He would keep you upon the ground while you have +wings which will carry you high up. He does not understand a nature +like yours; he will never learn to understand it. Will you languish and +go to ruin for only a word's sake? Go with me, my Hartmut--with me, to +whom you are all in all--out into freedom." + +She drew him along, slowly but irresistibly. He still resisted, but did +not tear himself away; and amidst the prayers and caresses of his +mother this resistance slowly gave way--he followed. + +A few moments later the pond lay wholly deserted; mother and son had +disappeared; the sound of their steps died away. Night and silence +brooded alone. Only over yonder in the fog of the marsh fluttered that +noiseless spectral life. It floated and vanished, rose and sank again +in restless play--the mysterious sign of flame. + + + + + + PART II. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + +The warm, golden light of a clear September day lay over the green +ocean of forest, which stretched as far as the eye could reach. These +immense forests had covered this part of Southern Germany for countless +years; trees one hundred years old were no rarity among them. The whole +bore the character of a mountainous forest, for hills and dales +succeeded one another. + +While the railroads spun their web all around the country, drawing one +place after another within their grasp, this "Wald," as these miles and +miles of wooded land were briefly called by the people, lay still and +deserted, like a green island, almost untouched by the life and strife +around. + +Here and there a village rose from the forest green, or an old castle, +almost in ruins, gray and dilapidated. There was one exception to it, +in a powerful, old, gray edifice which stood upon a height and +overlooked the whole vicinity. This was "Furstenstein," once the +hunting lodge of the sovereign, but at present the habitation of the +Chief of all the foresters. + +The castle dated from the beginning of the last century and had been +built with all the waste of space of that epoch when the hunting lodge +of the Prince had to accommodate for weeks the whole court suite. + +Furstenstein was only partly visible at a distance, for the forest +covered all the castle mount, the gray walls, the steeples and bow +windows lifting themselves from among the crown of green firs. The size +of the old structure was only apparent when one stood before the +entrance portal, for many additions belonging to later times were +attached to it. It was to be understood that decay here was carefully +kept back, for the numerous rooms of the upper floors were kept in +readiness for the commands of the Prince, who came here occasionally in +the fall. + +The similarly extensive lower floor was given to the chief of the +forest department, Herr von Schonan, who had lived here for years, and +who knew how to make the loneliness agreeable by keeping a very +hospitable house and by frequent sociable visitings in the +neighborhood. + +He was entertaining guests at present. His sister-in-law, Frau Regine +von Eschenhagen, had arrived yesterday, and her son was also expected. + +The two daughters of the house of Wallmoden had made very desirable +matches, the elder one marrying the lord of the Burgsdorf estates and +the younger one Herr von Schonan, who belonged to a wealthy South +German family. In spite of the distance separating them, the sisters +and their families had remained in intimate association, and even after +the death of the younger one, which had occurred several years +previously, these family connections were continued. + +This friendship, however, had a quality of its own, for Herr von +Schonan was always on the war-path with his sister-in-law. As both +natures were terse and inconsiderate they came to a tussle at every +opportunity, made up regularly, deciding to keep the peace in future, +but the promise was broken just as regularly. A new difference of +opinion would come up in the next hour, the dispute would be carried on +with fullest passion, until it again raged with undiminished power. + +Just at present a very unusual harmony seemed to prevail between the +two, who sat upon the terrace before the entrance room. + +The Chief Forester, who in spite of his advanced years, was still a +very stately man, with strong, sunburned features and slightly gray but +thick hair and beard, was leaning comfortably back in his chair, +listening to his sister-in-law, who, as usual, was monopolizing the +conversation. + +Frau Regine was now near her fiftieth year, but had scarcely changed in +the last decade. The years could not make much impression upon her +strong physique; a little wrinkle perhaps here and there in the face, a +few silver threads mingled with the dark hair; but the gray eyes had +lost none of their keen clearness; the voice was as full and steady, +the carriage just as energetic as formerly. It was very evident that +the lady bore the sceptre in her domain now as before. + +"As I said, Willy will be here in a week," she was saying. "He had not +quite finished with his harvest work, but it will soon end, and then he +will be ready for the betrothal. The affair has long been settled +between us, but I decidedly advocated the delay, for a young girl of +sixteen or seventeen years has all sorts of childish tricks still in +her head, and cannot preside well over an orderly household. But +Antonie is now twenty years old and Willy twenty-seven; this suits +exactly. You are satisfied, are you not, brother, that we now arrange +the betrothal of our children?" + +"Quite satisfied," affirmed the Chief Forester; "and we are of the same +opinion in all else concerning it. Half of my money will fall to my son +after my death, the other half to my daughter, and you can also be at +rest about the dower which I have set apart for the wedding." + +"Yes, you have not been stingy about it. As to Willy, you know he has +had possession of the Burgsdorf estates for three years. The money, +according to the will, remains in my hands. After my death it will, of +course, fall to him. The young couple will not be in need. Sufficient +care has been taken for that; therefore all is decided." + +"Yes, decided. We will celebrate the betrothal now and the wedding in +the spring." + +The thus far clear sky was darkened now by the first cloud. Frau von +Eschenhagen shook her head and said dictatorially: + +"That will not do, the wedding must occur in the winter, for Willy will +not have time to marry in the spring." + +"Nonsense! One always has time to marry," declared Schonan, just as +dictatorially. + +"Not in the country," persisted Frau Regine; "there the motto is, first +work and then pleasure. It has always been so with us, and Willy has +learned it, too." + +"But I emphatically beg that he will make an exception in the case of +his young wife, otherwise the deuce may take him!" cried the Chief +angrily. "Besides, you know my conditions, Regine. My girl has not seen +your son for two years; if he does not please her, she shall have a +free choice." + +He had attacked his sister-in-law in a most sensitive spot. She +straightened herself to her fullest height in her offended motherly +pride. + +"My dear Moritz, I credit your daughter with some taste at least. +Besides, I believe in the old custom of parents choosing for their +children. It was so in our time and we have fared well with it. What do +young people know of such important things? But you have always allowed +your children their own way too much. One can see there is no mother in +the house." + +"Is that my fault?" demanded Schonan, angrily. "Should I have given +them a stepmother? In fact, I wished to once, but you would not consent +to it, Regine." + +"No, I had enough of marriage with one trial," was the dry answer, +which roused the Forester still more. He shrugged his shoulders +sarcastically. + +"Why, I shouldn't think that you could possibly complain of the late +Eschenhagen. He and all his Burgsdorf danced entirely after your +piping. Of course, you would not have gotten the upper hand of me so +easily." + +"But I should have had it in a month," remarked Frau Regine with +perfect composure, "and I should have taken you under my command first +of all, Moritz." + +"What! you tell me this to my face? Shall we try it, then?" shouted +Schonan in a passion. + +"Thank you, I shall not marry a second time. Do not trouble yourself." + +"I have not the slightest idea of it. I had enough of it with that one +jilting; you do not need to do it a second time"; with which the Chief +Forester pushed back his chair angrily and left. + +Frau von Eschenhagen remained quietly seated. After awhile she called +in a quite friendly manner: "Moritz!" + +"What is it?" sounded crossly from the other side of the terrace. + +"When is Herbert to come with his young wife?" + +"At twelve o'clock," came the curt reply. + +"I am glad of that. I have not seen him since he was sent to your +capitol, but I have always said that Herbert was the pride of our +family, whom one could parade anywhere. He is now Prussian Ambassador +to His Excellency at your court." + +"And a young husband of fifty-six years, besides," said Herr von +Schonan scornfully. + +"Yes, he took his time to marry, but then he has made a splendid match +for all that. It was surely no little thing for a man of his years to +win a wife like Adelaide, young, beautiful, rich----" + +"And of burgher descent," interrupted Schonan. + +"Nonsense! Who asks nowadays after a pedigree when a million is +involved. Herbert can make use of it. He has had to get along with +small means all of his life, and the position of ambassador will +require more display than the salary will admit of. And my brother does +not need to be ashamed of his father-in-law, for Stahlberg is one of +our first industry men and a man of honor from tip to toe, besides. It +was a pity that he died after the marriage of his daughter, for she has +surely made a sensible choice." + +"Pouf! You call it a sensible choice when a girl of eighteen takes a +husband who could be her father?" cried the Chief, drawing near in the +heat of the controversy. "Of course when one becomes a baroness and the +wife of the Prussian Ambassador, one plays a big rôle in society. This +beautiful, cool Adelaide, with her 'sensible' ideas which would do +credit to a grandmother, is not congenial to me at all. A sensible girl +who falls heels over head in love and declares to her parents, 'This +one or none at all,' is much more to my taste." + +"Well, these are beautiful ideas for a father!" cried Frau von +Eschenhagen indignantly. "It is exceedingly fortunate that Toni has +taken after my sister and not after you, for otherwise you might live +to see the like in her. Stahlberg raised his daughter better. I know +from himself that she obeyed his wish when she gave her hand to +Herbert, and so, of course, it is all right and as it should be. But +you do not understand anything about educating children." + +"What! I, a man and a father, not understand the bringing up of +children?" shouted Schonan, cherry-red with vexation. + +The two were in the best possible condition to fly at each other again, +but fortunately they were interrupted this time, for a young girl, the +daughter of the house, stepped out on the terrace. + +Antonie von Schonan could not be called exactly pretty, but she had a +stately figure like her father and a fresh, blooming face, with light +brown eyes. Her brown hair was folded in simple plaits around her head +and her dress, although suitable to her position, was also plain. But +Antonie was in those years when youth displaced every other charm, and +as she drew near, fresh, healthy, stately in her whole appearance, she +was exactly the daughter-in-law after Frau von Eschenhagen's own heart, +and she nodded in a friendly way to her. + +"Father, the carriage is returning from the station," said the young +lady in a very deliberate, somewhat drawling tone. "It is already at +the foot of the castle mount. Uncle Wallmoden will be here in fifteen +minutes." + +"What, tausend! They have driven like lightning!" exclaimed the Chief +Forester, whose face brightened at the news. "Are the rooms all in +order?" + +Toni nodded as calmly as if that were a self-evident fact. As her +father started off to look for the carriage which was to bring his +guests, Frau von Eschenhagen said with a glance at the little basket +which the young girl carried: "Well Toni, you have been busy again?" + +"I have been in the kitchen garden, dear aunt. The gardener insisted +that there were no pears ripe as yet, but I looked for myself and +gathered a basketful." + +"That is right, my child," said her future mother-in-law, highly +satisfied. "One must have her eyes and hands everywhere, and never rely +upon servants. You will some day be a splendid housekeeper. But now let +us go. We will also meet the uncle." + + + + + CHAPTER IX. + + +Herr von Schonan was already in advance and just descending the wide +stone steps which led to the castle court, when a man emerged from one +of the side buildings and came to a standstill, bowing his greeting +respectfully. + +"Hallo, Stadinger; what are you doing at Furstenstein?" cried the Chief +Forester. "Come up here." + +The man obeyed the command. He walked actively with firm, erect +carriage, in spite of his snow-white hair, and a pair of keen, dark +eyes shone from his tanned face. + +"I have been with the Herr Steward, Herr Oberforstmeister," he replied, +"to ask if he could not let me have a few of his people to help me, for +everything is topsy-turvy with us at Rodeck just now. We have not hands +enough for the work." + +"Ah, yes; Prince Egon has returned from his travels in the Orient; I +heard of it," said Schonan. "But how does it happen that he comes to +Rodeck this time, this small forest nook which offers neither room nor +comforts?" + +"Heaven alone knows that; one never dares ask why with our young +Highness. The news came one morning, and the castle had to be put in +order, good or bad. I have had pains and worry enough to get ready in +two days." + +"I believe that. Rodeck has not been inhabited for years, but now there +will be life once more in the old walls." + +"But the old walls will be stood on their head with it all," grumbled +the castle keeper. "If you only knew how it looks there, Herr +Oberforstmeister. The whole hunting hall is packed full of lion and +tiger skins and all manner of mounted animals, and the live parrots and +monkeys sit about in every room. There is such a noise and making of +faces that one cannot hear a word at times; and now His Highness has +announced to me, besides, that a whole herd of elephants and a large +sea serpent are on their way here. I think apoplexy will overtake me." + +"What is on the way here?" demanded Schonan, who could not believe his +ears. + +"A sea serpent and a dozen elephants. I have remonstrated with might +and main. 'Your Highness,' I have said, 'we cannot house any more of +the beasts, particularly not the sea serpent, for such a beast needs +water, and we have no pond at Rodeck. As to the elephants--well, we +will just have to tie them to the trees in the forest. If we cannot do +that, I do not know what to do.' 'Good,' says His Highness, 'we will tie +them to the trees, it will be a picturesque sight; and we will send the +sea serpent to board at Furstenstein. That pond is large enough.' I beg +of you, Herr Oberforstmeister, he will populate the whole neighborhood +with those awful beasts." + +The Chief Forester laughed aloud and patted the shoulder of the old +man, who seemed to enjoy his special favor. + +"But, Stadinger, did you really take that in earnest? Don't you know +your Prince? It seems that he has not become more settled by his +absence." + +"No, really not," sighed Stadinger, "and what His Highness does not +know, Herr Rojanow will surely find out. He makes it ten times worse. +Oh, dreadful that such a madcap should fall to our lot!" + +"Rojanow? Who is that?" asked Schonan, becoming attentive. + +"Yes, that is what nobody knows exactly, but he is everything with us +since His Highness cannot live without him. He found this friend +somewhere back there in the heathen lands. The friend himself may be +half a heathen or a Turk; he looks just like it, with his dark hair and +his fiery eyes, and he knows how to command from the very bottom. He +sometimes drives all the servants helter-skelter with his orders and +actions, as if he was lord and master of Rodeck. But he is handsome as +a picture--almost more so than our Prince, who has given strict orders +that his friend has to be obeyed like himself." + +"Probably some adventurer who takes advantage of the Prince. I can +imagine that," muttered Schonan, continuing aloud: "Well, may God help +you, Stadinger! I must go now to meet my brother-in-law. Do not let any +gray hairs grow on account of the sea-serpent. If His Highness +threatens you with it again, just tell him I would offer the +Furstenstein pond with pleasure, but I must see it alive before me +first." + +He nodded laughingly at the old man, who looked much comforted, and +walked toward the entrance portal. + +Frau von Eschenhagen and her niece had also appeared, and the carriage +now came in sight upon the broad forest road of the castle mount, +rolling, a few minutes later, into the castle court. + +Regine was the first to greet them. She shook her brother's hand so +heartily that he drew back with a slight shudder. The Chief Forester +remained in the background; he stood somewhat in awe of his diplomatic +brother-in-law, whose sarcasm he secretly feared; while Toni allowed +neither her uncle, His Excellency, nor his beautiful wife to rouse her +from her composed deliberation. + +The years had not passed Herbert von Wallmoden by as lightly as +they had his sister; he had aged considerably; his hair had turned +quite gray, and the sarcastic lines around his mouth had become +more pronounced; otherwise he was still the cool, aristocratic +diplomat--perhaps a few degrees cooler and more reticent than formerly. +The superiority which he had borne to his surroundings seemed to have +grown with the high position which he filled at present. + +The young wife at his side would probably have been taken by every +stranger for his daughter. He had truly shown good taste in his choice. + +Adelaide von Wallmoden was, indeed, beautiful, although of that +composed, serious beauty which usually aroused only calm admiration, +but she seemed equal in every respect to the high position in life +brought her by this marriage. + +The young wife, scarcely nineteen years old, and who had been married +but six months, showed perfect ease of manner--an unexceptional mastery +of all forms, as if she had lived for years beside her elderly husband. + +To his wife Wallmoden was politeness and attention personified. He now +offered his arm to lead her to her room, returning in a few minutes to +join his sister, who awaited him on the terrace. + +The attitude of these two to each other was in many respects a strange +one. The brother and sister were of the most pronounced opposites in +appearance as well as character, and usually of opinion as well; but +the blood relationship gave them, in spite of this difference, a +feeling of closest union. This was evident as they sat together now +after the long separation. + +Although Herbert was somewhat nervous during the conversation, for +Regine did not find it necessary to subdue her peculiar manner, causing +him embarrassment more than once with her inconsiderate questions and +remarks, he had long ago learned to consider that as unavoidable, and +surrendered himself to it now with a sigh. + +At first they spoke of the coming betrothal of Willibald and Toni, +which had Wallmoden's full approval. He thought the match very +suitable, and besides, every one in the family had been long acquainted +with it. + +But now Frau von Eschenhagen began an entirely different subject. +"Well, and how do you feel as a husband, Herbert?" she asked. "You have +certainly taken your time for it, but better late than never, and to +speak the truth, you have had extraordinarily good luck in spite of +your gray hair." + +The Ambassador did not seem very well pleased at this allusion to his +age. He pressed his thin lips together for a moment, and then replied +with some sharpness: "You should really be a little more careful in +your expressions, dear Regine. I know my age very well, but the +position in life which I brought my wife as a wedding gift should +counteract the difference of the years somewhat." + +"Well, I should think the dowry she brought you was not to be +slighted," remarked Regine, quite unconcerned as to the rebuke. "Have +you already presented her at court?" + +"Yes, two weeks ago, at the Summer Residenz. Mourning for my +father-in-law prevented it before. We shall have open house in the +winter as my position requires. I was most pleasantly surprised at +Adelaide's manner at court. She moved upon the strange ground with an +ease and composure which were truly admirable. I saw there again how +happy my choice was in every respect. But I wish to inquire after +several things at home. First of all, how is Falkenried?" + +"Surely you do not need to ask me that? Are you not in regular +correspondence with him?" + +"Yes, but his letters grow shorter and more monosyllabic. I wrote him +at length about my marriage, but received only a very laconic reply. +But you must see him frequently, since he has been called to the +position of Secretary of War. The city is near." + +"You are mistaken there. The Colonel shows himself very rarely at +Burgsdorf, and he is becoming more and more reticent and +unapproachable." + +"I am sorry to hear that; but he used always to make an exception of +you, and I hoped much from your influence since he is back in your +vicinity. Have you not tried, then, to renew the old intimacy?" + +"I did at first, but finally had to give it up, for I saw that it was +painful to him. Nothing can be done there, Herbert. Since that +unfortunate catastrophe which both of us lived through with him he has +changed into stone. You have seen him several times since then and know +the ruin that has worked there." + +Wallmoden's brow clouded and his voice was harsh as he returned: "Yes, +that scoundrel--that Hartmut lies heavy upon his heart, but more than +ten years have passed since then, and I hoped that Falkenried would +return to sociable life in time." + +"I have never had that hope; that blow went to the root of life. I +shall never forget that evening at Burgsdorf while I live. How we +waited and waited--first with restlessness and anxiety, then with +deadly fear. You guessed the truth directly, but I would not permit +myself to believe it--and Falkenried! I can see him yet as he stood at +the window, looking fixedly out into the night pale as a corpse, with +teeth tightly clenched, having for every fear expressed the one reply, +'He will come--he must come. I have his word for it.' And when, in +spite of all, Hartmut did not come--when the night wore on and we +finally learned upon inquiry at the railroad station that the two had +arrived there in a carriage and taken the express train--God in heaven! +How the man looked when he turned to leave, so mute and stiff! I made +you promise not to leave his side, for I believed that he would blow +his brains out." + +"You judged him wrongly," said Wallmoden decisively. "A man like +Falkenried considers it cowardice to lay hands on his life, even if +that life has become torture to him. He stands up even to a lost post. +Although what would have happened if they had let him go that time--I +do not dare to surmise." + +"Yes, I knew that he had asked for his dismissal, because to serve +after his son had become a deserter did not accord with his ideas of +honor. It was the step of despair." + +"Yes, truly; and it was fortunate that his chiefs would not dispense +with his military genius and force. The chief of the general's staff +took the affair in his own hands and brought it before the king. They +concluded finally to treat the whole unfortunate occurrence--at least +as far as it could concern the father--as the act of a heedless boy, +for which a highly deserving officer could not be held accountable. +Falkenried had to take back his request for resignation, was +transferred into a far-away garrison, and the affair silenced as much +as was possible. It is, indeed, buried and forgotten now after ten +years by all the world." + +"It is not forgotten by one," finished Regine. "My heart burns +sometimes when I think of what Falkenried was once, and what he is now. +The bitter experience of his marriage had made him rather serious and +unsocial, but occasionally the full charming amiability of his manner +would break through, warm and hearty, from his inmost heart--all that +is over. He knows now only the iron severity of duty--all else is dead. +Even the old friendly relations have become painful to him. One has to +let him go his own way." + +She broke off with a sigh, which betrayed how near to her heart was the +friend of her youth, and laying her hand upon the arm of her brother, +she continued: "Perhaps you are right, Herbert, in that one chooses +best and most sensibly in late years. You do not need to fear the fate +of Falkenried. Your wife comes from a good race. I knew Stahlberg well. +He had worked up to the heights of life with firmness and ability, and +even as a millionaire he remained the upright man of honor he had ever +been. Adelaide is the daughter of her father in every respect. You have +chosen well and you my heartfelt wishes for your happiness." + + + + + CHAPTER X. + + +Rodeck, the hunting lodge belonging to the possessions of the Prince of +Adelsberg, was about two hours' distance from Furstenstein, in the +midst of deepest forest loneliness. The small building, erected +without much taste, contained at the most about a dozen rooms, whose +old-fashioned and shabby furniture had been put in as good order as the +short notice of the coming of the Prince permitted. + +The little castle had not been inhabited for years and looked somewhat +dilapidated, but when one emerged from the deep, dark forest into the +opening, and beheld at the end of the wide green sward the old gray +edifice with its tall, spiked roof and four steeples at the corners, it +had truly something of the forest idyl about it. + +The Adelsbergs had once been a reigning family, but a family that had +long since lost its sovereignty. They had retained, however, the +princely title, an enormous fortune, and a very extensive property. The +once numerous family counted at present but few representatives; the +main branch only a single one--the Prince Egon, who, as lord of all the +family estates, besides being closely related to the reigning house +through his late mother, played an important rôle among the nobility of +the land. + +The young Prince had always been considered a rover, who at times +followed very eccentric notions and bothered himself very little about +princely etiquette when he wished to follow some momentary whim. The +old Prince had been very strict with his son, but his death made Egon +von Adelsberg the sole master of his own will very early in life. + +He had now returned from a tour in the Orient which had kept him in +foreign lands two years, but instead of occupying the princely palace +in town, or one of his other castles which were furnished with every +conceivable splendor for a summer or fall visit, he took a notion to go +to the old forest nook--the little half-forgotten Rodeck--which was not +prepared for the honor of receiving its master, and could offer but +scant accommodation. + +Old Stadinger was right: one must never ask Prince Egon why. Everything +depended entirely upon his momentary caprice. + +In the morning of a sunny autumn day, two gentlemen in hunting costume +stood upon the lawn at Rodeck talking with the castle-keeper, while a +light open carriage stood upon the gravel road, ready for departure. At +a casual glance the two young men bore a certain resemblance to each +other. They had tall, slender figures, deeply tanned faces, and eyes in +which glowed the whole fiery gayety and courage of youth, but upon +closer examination the wide difference between them was apparent. + +The Southern coloring of the younger one, who might, perhaps, be about +twenty-four years old, was caused, apparently, by a prolonged stay +under a hot sun, for the light, curly hair and blue eyes did not match +it--they betrayed the German. A light beard, curly like the hair, +framed a handsome, open face, which, however, did not follow any strict +line of beauty. The forehead was rather too low, but there was +something like bright sunshine in this face which charmed and won +everybody. + +His companion, several years his senior, had nothing of this sunny +quality, although his appearance was more imposing. Slender like the +younger one, he towered above him in height, and his dark complexion +was not caused by the sun alone. It was of that olive tint which allows +a pale face to still look fresh, and the blue-black hair which fell in +thick waves over the high brow made the apparent paleness more +noticeable. The face was beautiful, with its noble, proud lines so +firmly and energetically pronounced, but upon it appeared also deep +shadows lying over brow and eyes; such shadows as one seldom finds on +youthful features. + +The large, dark eyes, which had in their depths something gloomy, told +of hot, unruled passions. In their flashing there was something uncanny +but mysteriously attractive. One felt that they could charm with +demoniac power; in fact, the whole personality of the man possessed +this uncanny, entrancing charm. + +"But I cannot help you, Stadinger," said the younger of the two +gentlemen. "The newly arrived lot has to be unpacked and a place found +for them. Where? that is your affair." + +"But, Your Highness, if that is absolutely impossible?" argued the +castle-keeper, in a tone indicating that he stood in rather familiar +relations to his young master. "Not a nook is free any more in Rodeck. +I have had trouble enough already to house the servants which Your +Highness brought along, and now every day boxes large as houses arrive, +and always it is 'Unpack, Stadinger,' 'Find room, Stadinger,' and in +the meantime the rooms stand empty by the dozen in the other castles." + +"Do not grumble, old forest spirit, but find room," interrupted the +Prince. "The arrivals have to be put up here at Rodeck, at least for +the present, and if the worst comes you will have to give up your own +lodgings." + +"Yes, certainly; Stadinger has room enough in his lodgings," joined in +the second gentleman. "I shall arrange it myself and measure it all." + +"And Lena can help you with it," added the Prince, supporting the +proposal of his friend. "She is at home, is she not?" + +Stadinger measured the gentlemen from head to foot, then answered +drily: + +"No, Your Highness, Lena is away." + +"Where?" cried the Prince, starting up. "Where has she gone?" + +"To town," was the laconic reply. + +"What! I thought you intended keeping your grandchild at home all +winter." + +"That has been changed," replied the castle-keeper with imperturbable +composure. "My old sister Rosa only is at home now. If you wish to +measure my dwelling with her help, Herr Rojanow, she would consider it +a high honor." + +Rojanow glanced at the old man in no very friendly way, and the young +prince said reproachfully: + +"Now listen, Stadinger, you treat us in quite an unaccountable manner. +You even take Lena away from us, the only one who was worth looking at. +All else here in the female line have the sixties behind them, and +their heads positively shake from old age; and the kitchen women you +got from Furstenstein to help actually offend our sense of beauty." + +"Your Highnesses do not need to look at them," suggested Stadinger. "I +look out that the servants do not come into the castle, but if Your +Highness goes into the kitchen like the day before yesterday----" + +"Well, must I not inspect my servants at times? But I shall not go into +the kitchen a second time--you have taken care of that. I have my +suspicions that you have gathered here all the very ugliest of the Wald +to celebrate my arrival. You ought to be ashamed, Stadinger." + +The old man looked sharply and fixedly into his master's eyes, and his +voice sounded very impressive as he answered: + +"I am not ashamed a bit, Your Highness. When the late Prince, Your +Highness' father, gave me this post of rest he said to me, 'Keep order +at Rodeck, Stadinger--I rely upon you.' Well, I have kept order for +twelve years in the castle, and in my house particularly, and I shall +do that in future. Has Your Highness any orders for me?" + +"No, you old, rude thing," cried the Prince, half laughing, half angry. +"Make haste and get away. We do not need any curtain lectures." + +Stadinger obeyed. He saluted and marched off. + +Rojanow looked after him and shrugged his shoulders sarcastically. + +"I admire your patience, Egon. You allow your servants very +far-reaching liberty." + +"Stadinger is an exception," replied Egon. "He allows himself +everything; but he was not so much in the wrong when he sent Lena away. +I believe I should have done the same in his place." + +"But it is not the first time that this old castle-keeper has taken it +upon himself to call you and me to order. If I were his master he would +have his dismissal in the next hour." + +"If I tried that it would turn out badly for me," laughed the Prince. +"Such old family heirlooms, who have served for three generations, and +have carried the children in their arms, will be treated with respect. +I cannot gain anything there with orders and prohibitions. Peter +Stadinger does what he will, and occasionally lectures me just as he +sees fit." + +"If you suffer it--such a thing is incomprehensible to me." + +"Yes, it is a thing you do not comprehend, Hartmut," said Egon more +seriously. "You know only the slavish submission of the servants in +your country and the Orient. They kneel and bow at every opportunity, +yet steal and betray their masters whenever they can and know how. +Stadinger is of an enviable simplicity. My 'Highness' does not +intimidate him in the least. He often tells me the hardest things to my +face; but I could put hundreds of thousands in his hands--he would not +defraud me of one iota of it. If Rodeck were in flames and I in the +midst of it, the old man, with all his sixty years, would stand by me +without a second thought. All this is different with us in Germany." + +"Yes; with you in Germany," repeated Hartmut slowly, and his glance was +lost dreamily in the dusk of the forest. + +"Are you still so prejudiced against it?" asked Egon. "It cost me +persuasion and prayers enough to get you to accompany me here--you +fought so against entering German territory." + +"I wish I had not entered it," said Rojanow, gloomily. "You know----" + +"That all sorts of bitter remembrances have their origin here for +you--yes, you have told me that; but you must have been a boy then. +Have you not yet overcome the grudge against it? You have the most +obstinate reticence, anyway, upon this point. I have not yet heard what +it really was that----" + +"Egon, I beg of you, leave the subject," interrupted Hartmut, harshly. +"I have told you once for all that I cannot and will not speak of it. +If you mistrust me, let me go. I have not forced myself upon you, you +know that; but I cannot bear these inquiries and questions." + +The proud, inconsiderate tone which he used toward his friend did not +seem to be anything new to the Prince. He merely shrugged his shoulders +and said pacifyingly: + +"How irritable you are again to-day! I believe you are right when you +insist that German air makes you nervous. You are entirely changed +since you put foot on this soil." + +"It is possible. I feel that I torture you and myself with these whims; +therefore let me go, Egon." + +"I know better! Have I taken so much pains to catch you, just to let +you fly off again now? No, no, Hartmut, I shall not let you go by any +means." + +The words sounded playful, but Rojanow seemed to take them wrongly. His +eyes lighted up almost threateningly as he returned: + +"And what if I _will_ leave?" + +"Then I shall hold you like this." + +With an indescribably charming expression, Egon threw his arm around +his friend's shoulder. "And I shall ask if this bad, obstinate Hartmut +can bring his conscience to desert me. We have lived together almost +two years, and have shared danger and joy like two brothers, and now +you would storm out into the world again without asking about me. Am I, +then, so little to you?" + +Such warm, heartfelt beseeching was in the words that Rojanow's +irritation could not live. His eyes lit up with an expression which +showed that he returned just as intensely the passionate, enthusiastic +affection which the young Prince bore him, even if he was, in their +mutual relationship, the domineering one. + +"Do you believe that for the sake of any one else I would have come to +Germany?" he asked in a low voice. "Forgive me, Egon. I am an unstable +nature. I have never been able to stay long in any place since--since +my boyhood." + +"Then learn it now here at my home," cried Egon. "I came to Rodeck +especially to show you my country in its entire beauty. This old +edifice, which nestles in the midst of the deep forest like a fairy +castle, is a piece of forest poetry such as you could not find in any +of my other possessions. I know your taste--but I must really leave you +now. You will not drive with me over to Furstenstein?" + +"No; I will enjoy your much-praised forest poetry, which, it appears, +is already tiresome to you, as you wish to make calls." + +"Yes; I am no poet like you, who can dream and be enthused all day," +said Egon, laughing. "We have led the life of hermits for a full week, +and I cannot live on sunshine and forest perfume and the curtain +lectures of Stadinger alone. I need people, and the Chief Forester is +about the only person in the neighborhood. Besides, this Herr von +Schonan is a splendid, jolly man. You will yet meet and know him, too." + +He motioned to the waiting carriage, gave his hand to his friend, +sprang to his seat and rolled away. + + + + + CHAPTER XI. + + +Rojanow looked after him until the vehicle had disappeared behind the +trees, then he turned and took one of the paths which led into the +forest. He carried his gun over his shoulder, but evidently did not +think of hunting. Lost in thought, he walked further and further +aimlessly, without noticing the road or direction, until deepest forest +loneliness surrounded him. + +Prince Adelsberg was right; he knew his friend's taste. This forest +poetry took full possession of him. He finally came to a standstill and +drew a deep breath, but the cloud upon his brow would not dispel; it +grew darker and darker as he leaned against the trunk of a tree and +allowed his eyes to roam about. Something not of peace or joy was +depicted in those beautiful features, which all the sunny beauty around +could not erase. + +He saw this country for the first time; his former home was far removed +in the northern part of Germany; nothing here reminded him directly of +the past, and yet just here something awoke in him which seemed to have +long been dead--something which had not made itself felt in all those +years when he crossed oceans and countries, when intoxicating waves of +life surrounded him and he drank with full thirsty draughts the freedom +for which he had sacrificed so much--everything. + +The old German woods! They rustled here in the south as up there in the +familiar north; the same breath floated through the firs and oaks here +which whispered there in the crowns of the pines; the same voice which +had once been so familiar to the boy when he lay upon the mossy forest +soil. He had heard many other voices since, some coaxing and +flattering, some intoxicating and enthusiastic, but this voice sounded +so grave and yet so sweet in the rustling of the forest trees--the +fatherland spoke to the lost son! + +Something moved yonder in the bushes. Hartmut looked up indifferently, +thinking that some game was passing through, but instead of that he saw +the glimmer of a light dress. A lady emerged from a narrow side path +which wound through the forest, and stood still, apparently undecided +as to the direction she ought to take. + +Rojanow had started at the unexpected sight. It awoke him suddenly from +his dream and called him back to reality. The stranger had also noticed +him. She, too, seemed surprised, but only for a moment; then she drew +near and said with a slight bow: "May I ask you, sir, to show me the +road to Furstenstein? I am a stranger here and have lost my way in my +walk. I fear I have wandered considerably from my path." + +Hartmut had scanned the appearance of the young lady with a quick +glance, and immediately decided to act as guide. Although he did not +know the road about which she had asked--knew only the direction in +which it lay--it troubled him but little. He made a deeply polite bow. + +"I place myself entirely at your service, gracious Fraulein. +Furstenstein is, indeed, rather far from here, and you cannot possibly +find the road by yourself, so I must beg you to accept my escort." + +The lady seemed to have expected the right direction to be pointed out, +and the proffered escort was evidently not especially welcome, but she +may have been afraid of losing her way a second time, and the perfect +politeness with which the offer was made scarcely left her any choice. +She bowed after a moment's hesitation and replied: "I shall be very +much obliged to you. Please let us go." + +Rojanow pointed out a narrow, half-covered path which led in the +direction of Furstenstein, and entered it without further ado. He +decided to retain his rôle as guide, for the little adventure began to +interest him. + +His protégé was, indeed, beautiful enough to make the encounter +interesting. The pure, delicate oval of her face; the high, clear brow +surrounded by shining blonde hair; the lines of the features--all was +perfect symmetry, but there was something chilling in the strong +regularity of these lines, which was rather increased by a mark of +energetic will power most plainly pronounced. The young lady could not +be more than eighteen or nineteen years old at the utmost, but she had +nothing of the charm of mirth and gayety belonging to that age. The +large blue eyes looked as calm and grave as if a girlish dream had +never brightened them, and the same cold, proud composure was visible +in the carriage and whole appearance. + +This tall, slender figure affected one like a chilling breath. Her +plain but elegant apparel showed that she belonged to the high classes. + +Rojanow had time enough to observe her as he walked now behind her and +now before, bending back the low-hanging bows, or warning of the +unevenness of the ground. This narrow forest path was truly not +comfortable, and proved itself not very appropriate for the toilet of a +lady. More than once her dress was caught by the bushes; the veil of +her hat was entangled in the boughs at every opportunity, while the +mossy soil proved at times very damp and foggy. + +All of this, however, was borne with perfect indifference, but Hartmut +felt that he was not doing himself much credit with his post as guide. + +"I am sorry to have to lead you over such a rough path, Fraulein," he +said courteously. "I am really afraid of fatiguing you, but we are in +the densest forest and there is no choice whatever." + +"I am not easily fatigued," was the calm rejoinder. "I care little for +the roughness of the road if it only leads to the desired end." + +The remark sounded somewhat unusual from the lips of a young girl. +Rojanow seemed to think so, and smiled rather sarcastically as he +repeated: + +"If it only leads to the desired end? Quite so--that is my opinion, but +ladies are usually of a different mind; they wish to be borne softly +over every inconvenience." + +"All of them? There are also women who prefer to go alone, without +being led like a child." + +"Perhaps, as an exception. I prize the chance which gives me the good +fortune of meeting such a charming exception----" + +Hartmut was about to utter a bold compliment, but suddenly grew silent, +for the blue eyes looked at him with an expression that made the words +die upon his lips. + +At this moment the lady's veil was caught again by a thorny bush, which +held it fast relentlessly. She stood still, but hardly had her +companion stretched forth his hand to disengage the delicate fabric, +when she tore herself free with a quick motion of the head. The veil +remained hanging in shreds on the bough, but his help had become +totally superfluous. + +Rojanow bit his lip. This adventure was developing quite differently +from what he had expected. He had thought to play the agreeable in that +bold, vainglorious manner which had become his second nature toward +ladies, to a timid young being who trusted herself entirely to his +protection, but he was being shown back to his proper place by a mere +glance at his first attempt. It was made very clear to him that he was +to be guide here and nothing else. + +Who, then, in truth, was this girl who, with her eighteen or nineteen +years, already showed the perfect ease of a great lady and who knew so +well how to make herself unapproachable? He concluded to have light +about it at any cost. + +The narrow path now ended; they emerged into an opening, the forest +continuing on the other side. + +It was not easy to be a guide here, where one was as little acquainted +with the country as Hartmut, but he would never confess his ignorance +now. + +Apparently quite certain, he kept in the same direction, choosing one +of the wood roads which crossed through the forest. There must surely +be a spot somewhere which would offer a free outlook and make it +possible to find the right road. + +The wider path now permitted them to walk side by side, and Hartmut +took immediate advantage of it to start a conversation, which thus far +had been impossible, since they had had to struggle with so many +obstacles. + +"I have neglected so far to introduce myself, gracious Fraulein," he +commenced. "My name is Rojanow. I am at present at Rodeck, a guest of +Prince Adelsberg, who enjoys the privilege of being your neighbor, +since you live at Furstenstein." + +"No; I am likewise only a guest there," replied the lady. + +The princely neighbor seemed to be as indifferent to her as the name of +her companion; at all events, she did not seem to consider it necessary +to give her name in return, but accepted the introduction with that +proud, aristocratic movement of the head which seemed to be peculiar to +her. + +"Ah, you live, then, at the Residenz, and have taken advantage of the +beautiful fall weather for an excursion here?" + +"Yes." + +It sounded as monosyllabic and rebuking as possible, but Rojanow was +not the man to be rebuked. He was accustomed to have his personality +felt everywhere--to meet with consideration and importance, +particularly among the ladies, and he felt it almost an insult that +this oft-tested success was denied him here. But it excited him to +enforce a conversation which apparently was not desired. + +"Are you satisfied with your stay at Furstenstein?" he began anew. "I +have not yet been there, and have only seen the castle from afar, but +it seems to overlook the whole vicinity. A peculiar taste is needed, +however, to find the country beautiful." + +"And this taste does not seem to be yours." + +"At any rate, I do not love the monotony, and here one has the same +view everywhere. Forest and forest and nothing but forest! It is enough +sometimes to create despair." + +It sounded like suppressed resentment. The poor German forests had to +atone for torturing the returned prodigal to such an extent that he had +been upon the point several times of fleeing from their whispering and +rustling. He could not bear it--this grave, monotonous tune of old +times which the leaves whispered to him. + +His companion heard, of course, only the sarcasm in the remark. + +"You are a foreigner, Herr Rojanow?" she asked calmly. + +A dark shadow passed again over Hartmut's brow. He hesitated for a +moment, then replied coldly: "Yes, gracious Fraulein." + +"I thought so; your name, as well as appearance, betrays it, and +therefore your opinion is conceivable." + +"It is certainly an unbiased opinion," said Hartmut, irritated by the +reproach contained in the last words. "I have seen a great deal of the +world, and have but now returned from the Orient. Whoever has known the +ocean in its brilliant, transparent blue, or its majestic, stormy +uproar; whoever has enjoyed the charm of the tropics, and been +intoxicated with their splendor and coloring--to him these evergreen +forest depths appear but cold and colorless, like all of these German +landscapes, anyhow." + +The contemptuous shrug of the shoulders with which he concluded seemed +to finally arouse his companion from her cool indifference. An +expression of displeasure flitted across her features, and her voice +betrayed a certain excitement as she answered: "That is probably solely +and entirely a matter of taste. I know, if not the Orient, at least the +south of Europe. Those sun-glaring, color-shining landscapes intoxicate +for the moment, certainly, and then they weary one. They lack freshness +and strength. One can dream and enjoy there, but not live and work. But +why argue about it? You do not understand our German forests." + +Hartmut smiled with undeniable satisfaction. He had succeeded in +breaking the icy reticence of his companion. All of his charming +politeness had been without effect, but he saw now that there was +something which could call life into those cold features, and he found +it attractive to draw it out. If he offended by it, it did not matter; +it gave him pleasure. + +"That sounds like a reproof which, alas! I have to accept," he said, +with an undisguised sneer. "It is possible that this understanding is +wanting in me. I am accustomed to measure nature differently from most +people. Live and work! It depends greatly upon what one calls living +and working. I have lived for years in Paris, that mighty centre of +civilization, where life throbs and flows in a thousand streams. +Whoever is used to being borne on those sparkling waves cannot bring +himself again into narrow, _petit_ views--into all those prejudices and +pedantries which in this good Germany are called 'life.'" + +The contemptuous stress which he put upon the last words had something +of a challenge in it, and reached its aim. + +His companion came to a sudden standstill and measured him from head to +foot, while from the formerly cold, blue eyes there flashed a spark of +burning anger. She seemed to have an angry reply upon her lips, but +suppressed it. She only straightened herself to her fullest height, and +her words were few and of icy, haughty reprimand. + +"You forget, mein Herr, that you speak to a German. I remind you of +it." + +Hartmut's brow glowed dark-red under this stern reproof, and yet it was +directed only to the stranger--the foreigner--who forgot the +consideration of a guest. + +If this girl had an idea who spoke so to her--if she knew! Hot, burning +shame rose suddenly within him, but he was man of the world enough to +control himself immediately. + +"I beg your pardon," he said with a slight, half-sarcastic bow. "I was +under the impression that we were exchanging only general views, which +have the right of unbiased opinions. I am sorry to have offended you, +gracious Fraulein." + +An inimitable, proud and disdainful motion of the head assured him that +he did not even possess the power to offend her. She shrugged her +shoulders in a barely perceptible manner. + +"I do not wish to bias your opinions in the least, but as our views are +so widely different on this matter, we will do better to discontinue +our conversation." + +Rojanow was not inclined to continue it. He knew now that those cold, +blue eyes could flash. He had wished to see it--had caused it to +happen, and yet the matter had ended differently from what he had +anticipated. He glanced with a half hostile look at the slender figure +at his side, and then his eyes roamed resentfully again in the bitterly +abused green depths of the forest. + + + + + CHAPTER XII. + + +This forest loneliness had, however, something fascinating in it. It +was touched by the first slight breath of autumn; that touch which has +not yet brought withering and death, but has only steeped the landscape +in richer coloring. Here and there brilliant red and gold flashed +through the bushes, but the forest itself still rested fresh and +aromatic in its green dusk. + +Beneath the crowns of the century-old trees bending gracefully toward +each other, deep, cool shadows glided, and in the openings golden +sunshine lay glistening on the flowers which bloomed here in the light. +Occasionally in the distance the bright mirror of a small pond +glittered, resting lonely, as if lost in the midst of the deep forest. + +Through the profound quiet all around could be heard the low rustling +of the mighty trees and the humming and singing of thousands of insects +that seemed to float upon the rays of the sun: all of those mysterious +voices which are heard only in solitude--the sweet, dreamy language of +the forest. It lured and coaxed irresistibly with its green depths, +which stretched endlessly, always further and further, as if it wished +to keep forever within its charm the two now walking through it. + +But suddenly quite an unexpected obstacle appeared before them. Dashing +and roaring from the thickly grown heights, a broad forest brook made a +way for itself with merry haste through bushes and rocks. + +Rojanow paused in his walk and took in the situation with a quick +glance, but as nowhere could a ford or bridge be discovered, he turned +to his companion. + +"I fear we are in trouble; the brook seems to put an end to our path. +It is usually easy to cross on the moss-covered stones at the bottom, +with some care, but yesterday's rain has covered them completely." + +The young lady was looking anxiously for some crossing place. "Would it +not be possible further down?" she asked, pointing down the stream. + +"No, for the water is deeper and more rapid there. We must cross here +at this place. Of course, you cannot go through the water. You will +permit me, Fraulein, to carry you over?" + +The offer was made with perfect courtesy and reserve, but Rojanow's +eyes flashed triumphantly. Chance was avenging him now on the +unapproachable one, who would not suffer his assistance even in the +disengaging of her veil from a thorn bush. She had now to entrust +herself unconditionally to his help, there was no choice but to allow +herself to be carried in his arms to the other bank. + +He drew near as if the permission sought had been granted, but she +recoiled. + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow." + +Hartmut smiled with an irony which he took no pains to conceal. He was +master of the situation now and intended to remain so. + +"Do you desire to turn back?" he asked. "More than an hour would be +lost, whereas if we cross here the other side will be reached in a few +moments. You can trust yourself to my arms without fear--the crossing +will be quite without danger." + +"I think so, too," was the calm reply, "and therefore I shall try it +alone." + +"Alone? That is impossible, Fraulein!" + +"Impossible to walk through a forest brook? I do not consider that a +particularly heroic deed." + +"But the water is deeper than you think. You will get a thorough +wetting, and besides--it is really impossible." + +"I am not effeminate in the least and do not catch cold easily. Be so +kind as to go first. I will follow." + +That was plain enough, and sounded so commanding that remonstrance was +not possible. Hartmut bowed a silent assent and waded through the +water, which could do no damage to his high hunting boots. + +It was indeed, rather deep and violent, so that he had to be careful in +getting a firm foothold upon the stones. A slight smile played around +his lips as he stood on the other bank and awaited his companion, who +had refused his protection so haughtily. Let her try coming alone; the +water would frighten her; she would not be able to battle with it, and +would be compelled to call him to help her in spite of her reluctance. + +She had followed him without hesitation. With her delicate, thin boots +offering no resistance whatever, she already stood in the water, which +was cold, but she seemed scarcely to feel it. Catching up her dress +with both hands, she advanced carefully and slowly, but quite surely, +to the middle of the brook. + +But here in the midst of the dashing, foaming flood, it required the +firm step of a man to hold its own. The slender, soft foot of the lady +searched in vain for a hold upon the slippery stones. The high heels of +the dainty boots were as much of a detriment as the dress, the hem of +which was caught by the waves. + +The courageous pedestrian apparently lost the confidence hitherto +displayed. She slipped several times and finally stood still. A +questioning glance flew over to the bank where Rojanow stood, firmly +decided not to lift his hand to help her until she asked for it. + +She may have read this resolution in his eyes, and it seemed to give +her back instantly her failing strength. She stood immovable a moment, +but the determined expression in her features was in full play. +Suddenly she slipped from the flooded stones into water a foot deep, +where she now, indeed, gained terra firma directly on the bottom of the +brook, and could walk unmolested to the other bank. She grasped a +branch of a tree, instead of Hartmut's offered hand, and by its aid +swung herself to dry land. + +Naturally she was very wet. The water ran from her dress, which she had +released from her grasp without consideration, but with perfect +unconcern she turned to her escort and said: "Shall we continue on our +way? It cannot be very far to Furstenstein." + +Hartmut did not return a syllable, but something like hatred sprang up +within him for this woman, who would rather slip into the cold flood +than trust herself to his arms. The proud, spoiled man whose brilliant +traits had heretofore won all hearts, felt so much more keenly the +humiliation which was forced upon him here. He almost cursed the whole +encounter. + +They walked on. From time to time Rojanow threw a glance upon the +heavy, wet hem of the dress which trailed on the ground beside him, but +otherwise he bestowed his whole attention upon the surroundings, which +seemed to get lighter. This forest thickness must end some time! + +His supposition was correct. He had been successful in his leadership, +for the path taken at random proved the right one. In about ten minutes +they stood upon a slight elevation which offered a free outlook. Over +yonder, above an ocean of treetops, rose the towers of Furstenstein, +while a broad road, which could be plainly seen, wound to the foot of +the castle mount. + +"There is Furstenstein," said Hartmut, turning for the first time to +his companion, "although it will be about half an hour's walk from +here." + +"That is of no consequence," she interrupted him quickly. "I am very +grateful to you for your guidance, but I cannot now miss the road, and +I should not like to trouble you further." + +"As you wish, gracious Fraulein," Rojanow said, coldly. "If you desire +to dismiss your guide here he will not force himself upon you." + +The reproach was understood. The young lady herself might feel that a +man who had guided her through the forest for hours might well deserve +a different dismissal, even if she found it necessary to keep him at a +distance. + +"I have already detained you too long," she said graciously, "and since +you have introduced yourself, Herr Rojanow, let me give you my name +also before we part--Adelaide von Wallmoden." + +Hartmut started slightly and a burning blush covered his face as he +repeated slowly, "Wallmoden!" + +"Is the name familiar to you?" + +"I believe I have heard it before, but it was in--in North Germany." + +"Most probably, for that is my husband's home." + +Unmistakable surprise was depicted in Rojanow's face as the supposed +young girl announced herself a married woman, but he bowed politely. + +"Then I beg your pardon, gracious lady, for the wrong address. I could +not anticipate that you were married. In any case, I have not the honor +of knowing your husband even by name, for the gentleman who was then +known to me was already advanced in years. He belonged to the +diplomatic corps, and his name was, if I am not mistaken, Herbert von +Wallmoden." + +"Quite right; my husband is at present Ambassador at the court of this +country. But he will be anxious about my long stay. I must not tarry +longer. Once again, my thanks, Herr Rojanow." + +She bowed slightly and took the descending road. Hartmut stood +motionless, looking after her, but an ashy paleness was on his face. + +So--he had hardly set foot upon German soil before there met him a name +and connection with old times which was at least painfully disagreeable +to him. + +Herbert von Wallmoden, brother of Frau von Eschenhagen, guardian of +Willibald, and friend of---- + +Rojanow suddenly broke off in his thoughts, for a sharp, painful stab +sank into his breast. + +As if to throw something from him he straightened himself, and again +the harsh, offensive sarcasm trembled around his lips, over which he +had such masterly command. + +"Uncle Wallmoden has made a fine career at least," he murmured, "and +seems to have had good luck besides. His hair must have been gray a +long time, and yet with it he conquers a young, beautiful girl. Of +course an ambassador is always a good match, hence the cool, +aristocratic manner which does not consider it worth the while to bend +to other mortals. Probably the diplomatic school of the husband has +educated his chosen one especially for this position. Well, he has +succeeded admirably." + +His eyes still followed the young wife, who had already reached the +foot of the hill, but now a deep furrow appeared in his brow. + +"If I should meet Wallmoden here--and it can scarcely be avoided--he +will recognize me beyond a doubt. If he then tells her the truth--if +she learns what has happened--and looks at me again with that look of +contempt----" In wild, out-breaking wrath he stamped his foot upon the +ground, then laughed bitterly. + +"Pah! what do I care? What does this blond, blue-eyed race, with their +indolent, cold blood, know of the longing for freedom--of the storm of +passions--of life in general? Let them pass judgment upon me! I do not +fear the meeting. I shall know how to hold my own." + +Throwing back his head in proud defiance, he turned his back upon the +slender female figure yet visible, and walked back into the forest. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII. + + +At the home of the Chief of all the foresters, the talked-of family +fête for which Wallmoden and his young wife had expressly come, had +taken place according to programme, and the lord of Burgsdorf and +Antonie von Schonan were formally betrothed. + +The young couple had long known that they were intended for each other, +and were perfectly contented therewith. + +Willibald, like a good son, was still of the opinion that the selection +of his future wife was solely the business of his mother, and he had +quietly waited until she found it convenient to betroth him. Still it +was agreeable to him that it was just Cousin Toni he was to marry. + +He had known her since their childhood; she suited him admirably, and +what was of some importance, she made no demands for the romantic part +of the engagement, which, with the best will in the world, he could not +have complied with. + +Toni exhibited the good taste which Frau Regine credited her with. +Willy pleased her very much, and the prospect of becoming mistress of +stately Burgsdorf pleased her still better. So all was in perfect +accord. + +The betrothed couple were at present in the reception room where the +piano stood and Antonie was entertaining her betrothed with music at +the request of her father. She herself considered music a very tiresome +and superfluous affair; but the Chief Forester had insisted that his +daughter should demonstrate not only her ability as a housekeeper, but +that she had also been educated in the higher arts. + +He was walking up and down the terrace with his sister-in-law, with the +original intention of listening to the music, but instead of that they +were quarreling again, although they had started out with a peaceful +conversation about the happiness of the children. This time the quarrel +seemed to be of a very violent nature. + +"I really do not know what to think of you, Moritz," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with a very red face. "You do not seem to have any sense of +the impropriety of this acquaintance. When I ask you who this bosom +friend of Toni's really is--the one who is expected at Waldhofen--you +answer me in the calmest manner possible that she is a singer, and +recently engaged at the Court Theatre. An actress! a theatre princess! +one of those frivolous creatures----" + +"But, Regine, do not get so excited," interrupted von Schonan vexedly. +"You act as though the poor thing was already lost body and soul, +because she has appeared on the stage." + +"So she is," declared Regine; "whoever once enters this Sodom and +Gomorrah is not to be saved--they go to their ruin there." + +"Very flattering to our Court Theatre," said Schonan drily. "Besides, +all of us go there." + +"As audience--that is quite different. But I have always been against +it. Willy has been allowed to attend the theatre but seldom, and then +only in my company; but while I fulfil my maternal duty, +conscientiously protecting my son from any touch with those circles, +you give his future wife over freely to their poisonous influences. It +is worthy of a cry to heaven!" + +Her voice had grown very loud, partly through indignation and partly +that she might be heard, for the musical performance in the room, whose +glass doors stood wide open, was of a rather loud nature. + +The young lady had a somewhat hard touch and her performance reminded +one of the working of an ax in hard wood. Although her three listeners +had strong nerves, a low conversation had become an impossibility. + +"Let me explain this matter to you," said the Chief Forester +pacifyingly. "I have already told you that this case is an exception. +Marietta Volkmar is the granddaughter of our good old physician at +Waldhofen. He had the misfortune to lose his son in the prime of +life--the young widow followed her husband in the next year, and their +child, the little orphan, came to her grandfather. That happened when I +was promoted here to Furstenstein, ten years ago. Dr. Volkmar became my +house physician; his granddaughter the playmate of my children, and +because the school in Waldhofen was very poor, I offered to let the +little one participate in the lessons of my children. The friendship +dates from then. + +"Later on, when Toni was sent to boarding school for two years, and +Marietta went to the city for her musical education, this daily +intercourse was, of course, broken, but Marietta visits us regularly +when she comes to her grandfather during her vacations, and I do not +see why I should prohibit it as long as the girl remains good and +true." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had listened to the explanation without abating +her severity in the least, and now she laughed ironically. + +"Good and true at the theatre! One knows how things go there, but you +seem to take it just as easy as this Dr. Volkmar, who looks so +venerable with his white hair, and yet consents to his granddaughter--a +young soul entrusted to his care--going on the path to destruction." + +Herr von Schonan made an impatient gesture. + +"Regine, you are usually such a sensible woman, but you have never +wished to be reasonable on this point. The theatre and everything +connected with it has always been under a ban to you. The decision has +not been an easy one for the doctor. I know that; and if one like me +can sit in the warm nest and support one's children, one should not +break the staff over other parents who struggle with bitter cares. +Volkmar still works night and day with all his seventy years, but the +practice brings him but little, for our vicinity is poor, and Marietta +will be quite without means after his death." + +"She ought to have become a governess or companion, then; that is a +decent vocation." + +"But a miserable vocation. One knows well how the poor things are +treated and overworked. If a child of mine, whom I loved, had to decide +her lot in life, and it was told me that she had a fortune in her +throat and that a splendid future was assured her--well, I should let +her go on the stage, depend upon that." + +This confession knocked the bottom out of the barrel. Frau Regine stood +for a moment quite still in affright; then she said solemnly: "Moritz, +I shudder at you." + +"I don't care. If it gives you any pleasure to shudder, keep at it; but +if Marietta comes to Furstenstein as usual, I shall not repulse her, +and I also have nothing against Toni's going to see her in Waldhofen." + +Herr von Schonan had also to speak very loud, for his daughter was +pounding the keys so that the windows rattled, and the strings of the +piano were seriously endangered. The Chief Forester, while in the heat +of the controversy, noticed this as little as did his sister-in-law, +who now replied with much sharpness: + +"Well, then, it is at least a good thing that Toni is to marry soon. +Then the friendship with this theatre princess will come to an end, +depend upon that. Such guests are not suffered at our respectable +Burgsdorf, and Willy will not allow his wife the correspondence which +seems now to be going on at a lively rate." + +"That means that _you_ will not allow it," shouted von Schonan, +mockingly. "Willy has nothing to forbid or allow; he is only the +obedient servant of his gracious Frau Mamma. It is unjustifiable how +you keep that boy under your thumb when he is of age, betrothed, and +soon to be a husband." + +Frau von Eschenhagen, offended, straightened herself. + +"I believe I am more conscientious with my responsibilities than you +are. Do you wish to reproach me for raising my son with filial +reverence and love?" + +"Oh, well; there is a point where conscientiousness ceases and +maltreating commences. You have already made Willy quite silly +with your eternal supervision. He did not dare to even propose on his +own account; when the matter began to get too long for you, you +interfered as usual. 'Why these preliminaries, children? You shall +have each other--you wish it, your parents consent, you have my +blessing--therefore kiss each other and bring the thing to an end.' +That is your standpoint. I, too, had filial reverence and affection, +but if my parents had come into my wooing like that they would have +heard something very different. But Willy accepted it calmly. I truly +believe he was glad that he did not have to make a formal proposal." + +The excitement of the twain had again risen to the boiling point, and +it was now well that the noise inside had so increased that they could +not hear each other further. + +Fraulein Antonie had strength at least in her hands, and as she seemed +to consider that the most important thing, her performance sounded as +if a regiment of soldiers were storming an attack. + +It was too much for her father. He suddenly broke off the conversation +and entered the room. + +"But, Toni, you do not need to break the new piano," he said with +vexation. "What piece are you playing?" + +Toni sat at the piano, laboring in the sweat of her brow; not far +removed sat her betrothed upon a sofa, his head supported by his arm +and eyes shaded by his hand, apparently quite entranced with the music. + +The young lady turned at her father's question and said in her usual +slow voice, "I was playing the March of the Janissaries, papa. I +thought it would please Willy, since he, too, has been a soldier." + +"So? But he served as a dragoon," muttered Schonan, approaching his +future son-in-law, who did not seem to appreciate the delicate +attention, for he gave no sign of approval. + +"Willy, what do you say to it? Willy, do you not hear? I actually +believe he has fallen asleep." + +Alas! the supposition proved correct. While the March of the +Janissaries thundered over the keys, Willy had softly and sweetly +fallen asleep, slumbering so soundly that he did not even now awake. +This seemed too much for his mother, who had also approached. She +grasped his arm sharply. + +"But, Willy, whatever does this mean? Are you not ashamed of yourself?" + +The young lord, shaken and scolded on all sides, finally aroused +himself and sleepily gazed around. "What--what shall I---- Yes, it was +beautiful, dear Toni." + +"I believe it," cried the Chief with an angry laugh. "Do not trouble +yourself to play any more, my child. Come, we will let your groom-elect +have his nap out in peace. He has good nerves; one must confess that." + +Saying which he took his daughter's arm and left the room, where the +fullest maternal wrath now broke over poor Willibald. Frau von +Eschenhagen, already provoked by the preceding conversation, did not +spare her son, but justified only too well the reproaches of her +brother-in-law. She scolded the engaged and soon-to-be-a-husband young +man like a schoolboy. + +"This surpasses everything conceivable," she concluded in highest +indignation. "Your father was not very much at courting, but if he, +after two days' betrothal, had fallen asleep while I was entertaining +him with my music, I should have aroused him very unceremoniously. Now, +do you go immediately to your fiancée and beg her pardon. She is quite +right to feel offended." + +With which she grasped him by the shoulder and pushed him very +emphatically toward the door. + +Willy accepted it all very humbly and remorsefully, for he was indeed +shocked at his untimely slumber; but he could not help it--he had been +so sleepy and the music was so wearying. + +Quite crushed, he entered the next room, where Toni stood, rather +offended, at the window. + +"Dear Toni, do not think hard of me," he began hesitatingly; "it was so +hot and your playing had something so pacifying." + +Toni turned. That this march, with her playing of it, should be +pacifying was new to her; but when she saw the crushed mien of her +betrothed, who stood like a prisoner before her, her good nature +conquered, and she held out her hand. + +"No, I am not angry with you, Willy," she said cordially. "I do not +care either for the stupid music. We will do something more sensible +when we are at Burgsdorf." + +"Yes, that we will," exclaimed Willy, joyfully pressing the offered +hand. He had not yet aspired to even a kiss upon the hand. "You are so +good, Toni." + +When Frau von Eschenhagen entered soon afterward, she found the couple +in perfect harmony, engaged in a highly interesting conversation about +dairy affairs, which were somewhat different in the two localities of +Burgsdorf and Furstenstein. This was a subject over which Willy did not +fall asleep, and his mother congratulated herself secretly upon this +splendid daughter-in-law, who showed no inconvenient sensitiveness. + +The young man found opportunity almost directly to prove himself +grateful for the indulgence of his betrothed. Toni complained that a +package which she had ordered and which was needed for the supper table +had not yet come. It had arrived safely at the post office, but, it +seemed, with a wrong address, and had not been delivered to the +messenger, who in the meantime had been dispatched elsewhere. No other +servant was at liberty to go, and the time of need for it was drawing +near. Willibald hastened to offer his services, which were joyfully +accepted by his fiancée. + + + + + CHAPTER XIV. + + +Waldhofen was the most important village of the vicinity, but still +only a small place. It was about half an hour's distance from +Furstenstein and formed a kind of centre for all the scattered villages +and hamlets of the Wald. + +It looked very desolate and forlorn during the afternoon hours, when +nobody was on the streets; so thought Herr von Eschenhagen as he walked +across the market place, where the post office was situated. + +He finished the errand which had brought him to Waldhofen, and found a +man to carry the parcel to the castle. Then, since the streets of the +quiet little place offered no diversion, he turned into a lane which +led to the high road behind the gardens of the houses. + +The path was rather boggy; yesterday's rain had made it quite without a +foothold in places. Yet Willibald was farmer enough not to care about +such things, but marched on unconcernedly. + +He was in an exceedingly happy mood. It was surely a pleasant thing to +be betrothed, and he did not doubt in the least that he would lead a +very happy life in the future with his good Toni. + +At this moment a carriage came toward him, making its way laboriously +through the boggy soil, and apparently bringing travellers, for a large +trunk was strapped on behind, and the inside seemed to contain various +travelling appurtenances. + +Willibald could not help wondering why they used this lane, which, in +its present condition, was very tiresome; indeed the driver seemed +dissatisfied. He turned in his seat to consult with the traveller, who +so far had not been visible. + +"It really does not go any further, Fraulein. I told you so before. We +cannot get through here, the wheels stick in the mud. We are in a fix +now." + +"But it is not far now," said a fresh voice from the inside; "only a +few hundred paces. Just try it again." + +"What is not possible is not possible," returned the driver with +philosophical composure. "We cannot get through that mire before us; we +must turn back." + +"But I do not wish to drive through town." The voice had a spice of +defiance in it now. "If it is not possible to drive on, I shall +dismount." + +The driver stopped, the door was opened, and a light, slender figure +sprang from the carriage with such sure aim as to reach a higher spot +across the mire. There she remained and glanced around searchingly: but +as the lane made a bend nearby, only a little of it could be +overlooked. The young lady seemed to observe this with dissatisfaction. +Then her glance fell upon Herr von Eschenhagen, who, approaching from +the other direction, now reached the bend. + +"Please, mein Herr, is the lane passable?" she called. He did not +answer directly, being petrified with admiration of her daring and +graceful jump. Why, she flew through the air like a feather and yet +stood firm and safe upon her feet where she landed. + +"Do you not hear?" repeated the Fraulein impatiently; "I asked if the +lane is passable." + +"Yes, I have walked over it," said Willibald, somewhat confused by the +dictatorial questioning. + +"I see that, but I have no boots like yours and cannot wade through the +mire. Is it possible to pass along the hedges? Great heavens! at least +answer me." + +"I--I believe so. It is somewhat dry over yonder." + +"Well, I shall try, then. Turn back, driver, and deliver my baggage at +the post office. I will send for it. Wait, I will take that satchel +with me. Hand it across." + +"But the satchel is too heavy for you, Fraulein," remonstrated the +driver, "and I cannot leave the horses alone." + +"Well, then, this gentleman will carry it for me. It is not far to our +garden. Please, mein Herr, take the satchel, the small one upon the +back seat with the black leather lining. But do make haste." + +The little foot stamped the ground impatiently, for the young lord +stood there with open mouth. He could not comprehend how a total +stranger could dispose of him so nonchalantly, nor how so young a girl +could command in such a way. + +At the last very ungracious words, however, he made haste to approach +and take the designated satchel, which seemed the proper thing to be +done. + +"So," she said shortly. "You, driver, stop at the post office, and now +forward into the bogs of Waldhofen!" + +She picked up her gray travelling dress and walked close to the hedge, +where the road was somewhat higher and dryer. + +Willibald, of whom no notice was taken, trotted behind her with the +satchel. He had never seen anything so graceful as this slender figure, +which did not reach to his shoulder, and he occupied himself in +observing this figure, because he had nothing else to do. + +The young girl had something exceedingly charming and graceful in her +motions, as well as her whole appearance; but the small head, with the +dark hair curling from under her hat, was carried with undeniable +spirit. The face was rather irregular in outline, but lovely with its +dark, roguish eyes, while the small, rosy mouth, around which lay a +line of refractory defiance, and the two dimples in the chin, made it +perfectly charming. The gray travelling dress, in spite of its +plainness, was very tasteful and met the requirements of fashion. The +young traveller apparently did not belong to the home-made villagers of +Waldhofen. + +The road around the corner proved indeed somewhat dryer, but one had to +keep to the little, raised path near the hedge and to jump at times +over damp places. Conversation was, therefore, not possible, and Willy, +in truth, never thought of commencing it. He carried the satchel +patiently, accepting just as patiently the fact that his companion did +not concern herself in the least about him, until, after ten minutes' +walk, they stood at the low gate of a garden. + +The young girl bent over the pickets and pushed an inside bolt; then +she turned. + +"Many thanks, mein Herr. Please give me my satchel now." + +In spite of its small dimensions, the bag was rather heavy, much too +heavy for the little hands outstretched for it. Willibald was seized +with a sudden attack of chivalry--not a usual fault with him--and +declared that he would carry it to the house, which was accepted with a +gracious nod. + +They passed through a small, but carefully kept, garden to an old, +plain house, and entered through the back door into a cool, dusky hall, +where their arrival was immediately perceived. An old servant rushed +out of the kitchen. + +"Fraulein! Fraulein Marietta! Have you come already to-day? Ach, what +joy----" + +She got no further, for Marietta flew to her and pressed her little +hand upon her mouth. + +"Be still, Babette! Speak quietly; I want to surprise him. Is he at +home?" + +"Yes, the Herr Doctor is in his study. Do you wish to go there, +Fraulein?" + +"No; I will steal into the sitting room and sing his favorite song. +Careful now, Babette; so that he does not hear us." + +Like a fairy she slipped lightly and noiselessly to the other side of +the house and opened a door. Babette followed her, not noticing, in the +joy and surprise of her Fraulein's return, that some one else stood in +the dark hall. The door was left wide open, a chair was carefully +moved, and directly a low prelude began in trembling notes, probably +from a venerable old piano; but it sounded like the music of a harp, +and then a voice arose, clear and sweet and joyous as a lark. + +It did not last many minutes, for a door opposite was hastily opened, +and a white-haired old man appeared. + +"Marietta, my Marietta! is it really you?" + +"Grandpapa!" was cried back, joyfully. The song broke off and Marietta +threw herself upon her grandfather's neck. + +"You naughty child, how you have frightened me!" he scolded, tenderly. +"I did not expect you until the day after to-morrow, and intended to +meet you at the station. Now I hear your voice, and do not dare to +believe my ears." + +The young girl laughed merrily as a child. She was more than happy and +content. + +"Yes, the surprise has been a complete success, grandpapa. I drove into +the lane and actually stuck in the bog. I came in the back door. What +do you want, Babette?" + +"Fraulein, the man who brought the bag is still there," said the old +servant, who had but just observed the stranger. "Shall I pay him for +you?" + +The young lord still stood there with the satchel in his hand. But now +Dr. Volkmar turned and exclaimed in great embarrassment: "Gracious +heavens! Herr von Eschenhagen!" + +"Do you know the gentleman?" Marietta asked without much surprise, for +her grandfather was accustomed to meet all of Waldhofen in his office +of physician. + +"Certainly. Babette, take the valise from the gentleman. I beg your +pardon, mein Herr. I did not know that you were already acquainted with +my granddaughter." + +"No, we are not acquainted in the least," declared the girl. "Will you +not present the gentleman to me, grandpapa?" + +"Certainly, my child. Herr Willibald von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf----" + +"Toni's betrothed!" interrupted Marietta, gaily. "Oh, how funny that we +should meet in the middle of a bog! If I had only known, Herr von +Eschenhagen, I would not have treated you so badly. I let you follow me +like a regular porter. But why did you not say something?" + +Willibald did not say anything now, but looked mutely at the little +hand which was cordially extended to him. Feeling that he had to either +say or do something, he grasped the rosy little hand in his giant fist +and squeezed and shook it heartily. + +"Oh!" cried the young lady, retreating horrified; "you have an awful +handshake, Herr von Eschenhagen. I believe you have broken my fingers." + +Willibald turned red with confusion and stammered an excuse. +Fortunately, Dr. Volkmar now invited him to enter, which invitation he +accepted silently, and Marietta narrated in a very laughable way her +meeting with him. She treated her friend's betrothed like an old +acquaintance, for she had long known of their engagement. She asked him +about Toni, about the Chief Forester and all the household, her small, +red mouth rattling on like a mill wheel. + +Still the young lord was almost mute. The clear voice which sounded, +even in talking, like the twittering of birds, utterly confused him. + +He had only met the doctor yesterday, when the latter had called +at Furstenstein. There had been some casual mention of a certain +Marietta--a friend of Toni's--but he did not know anything further, for +his fiancée was not very communicative. + +"And this naughty child allows you to stand in the hall without +ceremony, while she seats herself at the piano to notify me of her +arrival," said Volkmar, shaking his head. "That was very naughty, +Marietta." + +The young girl laughed and shook her curly head. + +"Oh, Herr von Eschenhagen will not be offended at that, and therefore +he may listen while I sing you your favorite song again. You scarcely +heard a note of it before. Shall I begin now?" + +Without waiting for an answer, she ran to the piano, and again that +silvery, clear voice arose, entrancing the ear with its charm. She sang +an old, simple carol, but it sounded as soft and sweet and coaxing as +if spring and sunshine had suddenly entered the desolate rooms of the +old house. It spread sunshine over the face of the old, white-haired +man, where many a line of care and anxiety was visible. He listened +with a smile, half sad, half happy, to the song which may have reminded +him of his youth. But he was not the only attentive listener. + +The young lord of Burgsdorf, who two hours previously had fallen asleep +amidst the thunders of "The Janissaries' March"--who, in perfect accord +with his betrothed, had considered silly music a tiresome thing--now +listened to those soft, floating sounds as intently as if they brought +him a revelation. + +He sat there, bent over, his eyes fixed immovably upon the young girl, +who apparently put all her soul into the song, moving her head to and +fro with an infinitely graceful motion. + +When the song ended he breathed deeply and passed his hand across his +brow. + +"My little singing bird," said Dr. Volkmar, tenderly bending over his +granddaughter and kissing her brow. + +"Well, grandpapa, my voice has not exactly deteriorated in the last few +months, has it?" she asked, teasingly, "but it does not seem to please +Herr von Eschenhagen. He does not say a word about it." + +She glanced with a childish pout over at Willibald, who now also arose +and approached the piano. A slight flush suffused his face, and his +usually quiet eyes flashed as he said in a low tone: "Oh, it was +beautiful, very beautiful!" + +The young singer may have been accustomed to other compliments, but she +felt the deep, honest admiration in the laconic words, and knew very +well the impression the song had made. She smiled, therefore, as she +replied: "Yes, the song is beautiful. I have always had a regular +triumph when I sang it as an addition to my rôle." + +"To your rôle!" replied Willibald, not understanding the expression. + +"Yes, in the play from which I have just returned. Oh, it has been a +splendid success, grandpapa. The manager would gladly have prolonged +it, but I had already given the greater part of my vacation to it, and +I wished to be with you at least a few weeks." + +The young lord listened with increasing astonishment. + +Play! vacation! manager! What could all that mean? The doctor saw his +surprise. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen does not know your vocation, my child," he said, +quietly. "My granddaughter has been educated for the opera." + +"How dryly you say that, grandpapa!" cried Marietta, springing up. +Straightening herself to the fullest height of her dainty figure, she +added, with mock solemnity: "For five months a member of the highly +respected Ducal Court Theatre, a person of official honors and renown!" + +Member of the Court Theatre! Willibald almost shuddered at those awful +words. The obedient son of his mother shared her disdain of +"actresses." Involuntarily he receded a step and glared horrified at +the young lady who had imparted such awful news to him. She laughed +merrily at this motion. + +"You are not compelled to show so exceeding much respect and awe, Herr +von Eschenhagen. I will allow you to remain near the piano. Has not +Toni told you that I am on the stage?" + +"Toni--no!" Willibald burst out, having lost his composure completely. +"But she is waiting for me. I must return to Furstenstein. I have +tarried here already too long." + +"You are very polite," laughed the girl, gayly. "That is not very +flattering to us, but since you are engaged you must naturally return +to your fiancée." + +"Yes, and to my mamma," said Willibald, who had a dark feeling that +something awful threatened him, before which his mother appeared as a +saving angel. "I beg your pardon, but I have stayed here already too +long----" + +He stopped, for he remembered that he had already said that once, and +searched for other words, but could not find any, and, unhappily, +repeated the phrase for the third time. + +Marietta almost choked with laughter, but Dr. Volkmar declared politely +that they did not wish to detain him any longer, and begged him to take +his regards to the Chief Forester and Fraulein von Schonan. + +The young lord scarcely heard. He looked for his hat, made a bow, +stammered a few words of adieu and ran off as if his head was burning. +He had but one thought--that he must leave as quickly as possible; that +gay, teasing laugh made him crazy. + +When Volkmar, who had escorted Willibald to the door, returned, his +granddaughter was wiping the tears from her eyes, quite overcome with +laughter. + +"I believe something is wrong with Toni's betrothed here," she cried, +putting a delicate ringer to her forehead. "At first he ran behind me, +mutely carrying the bag like a fish wife; then he seemed to thaw at my +singing, and now he is seized with an attack of something and runs away +to Furstenstein to his 'mamma,' so quickly that I could not even send a +greeting to his betrothed." + +The doctor smiled a little plaintively. He had observed closely and +guessed whence came this sudden change of manner in his guest. + +"The young man has probably not had much intercourse with ladies," he +said, evasively; "and he seems to stand somewhat in awe of his mother, +but he appears to please his fiancée very well, and that is surely the +most important thing." + +"Yes, he is handsome," said Marietta, somewhat thoughtfully; "even very +handsome. But I believe, grandpapa, he is also very stupid." + +In the meantime Willibald had run like a storm to the next corner, +where he came to a standstill and tried to collect his thoughts, which +were in great confusion. It was a long time before he succeeded, but he +looked back once more to the doctor's house before he walked on. + +What would his mother say to it? She who had placed the whole world of +actresses under a ban; and she was right. Willy plainly felt that +something bewitching belonged to the tribe; one had to beware of them. + +But what if this Marietta Volkmar should take a notion to visit her +friend at Furstenstein? The young lord ought to have been horrified at +the thought, and was convinced that he was horrified; but with all that +the strange flash returned to his eyes. He suddenly saw in the +reception room, at the piano where Toni had been a little while ago, a +small, delicate figure, whose dark, curly head moved to and fro like a +bird, and the thunder of the march changed into the soft, rippling +notes of the old carol, while between all again sounded the gay, +silvery laugh which also was music. + +And all this loveliness must be ruined and lost because it belonged to +the stage! Frau von Eschenhagen had often expressed such an opinion, +and Willibald was too good a son not to consider her an oracle. But he +heaved a deep sigh, and murmured: "Oh, what a pity; what a great pity!" + + + + + CHAPTER XV. + + +About half way between Furstenstein and Rodeck, where the forest +mountains rose to their greatest height, lay the Hochberg, a popular +resort for sight-seeing on account of its magnificent views. The old +stone tower upon its summit, the last remnant of an otherwise totally +demolished castle ruin, had been made an object of interest, and at its +foot nestled a little inn, which entertained numerous guests from the +neighborhood. Strangers did not often come into these almost unknown +forest mountains and valleys. Visitors of any sort were somewhat rare +now in the fall, but to-day's beautiful weather had enticed several +people out on the trip. Half an hour ago two gentlemen had arrived on +horseback, attended by a groom, and now a carriage, bringing more +sight-seers, drove up to the inn. + +Upon the flat roof of the tower, near the stone breastwork, stood the +two gentlemen, the younger one zealously occupied in pointing out and +explaining the various points of interest. + +"Yes, our Hochberg is renowned for its views." he said. "I was obliged +to show them to you, Hartmut. Is not the view over this wide, green +forest ocean incomparable?" + +Hartmut did not answer; he seemed to be looking through the glass for +some distant point. + +"Where is Furstenstein? Ah, there. It seems to be an enormous old +structure." + +"Yes, the castle is worth seeing," assented Prince Adelsberg. "But, +outside of that, you were wise to remain at home the other day; I was +bored to death by the visit." + +"So? You seemed to think a great deal of the Chief Forester." + +"Certainly, I like to chat with him; but he had driven out and returned +only just before I left. His son is not at Furstenstein. He is studying +at the school for foresters, so I had to wait upon Fraulein von +Schonan; but that pleasure was not exactly interesting. A word every +five minutes and a minute to every word. Very many domestic virtues, +but very little behind the forehead. I kept the conversation going by +the sweat of my brow, and then had the honor of meeting the betrothed +of the Baroness--a genuine, undiluted country squire, with a very +energetic mamma, who has him and the future daughter-in-law under +complete control. We had an exceedingly brilliant conversation, finally +landing on turnip culture, in which I was thoroughly instructed. The +visit was bearable only when the Chief Forester returned with his +brother-in-law, the Baron Wallmoden." + +Rojanow still held the glass directed upon Furstenstein, listening, +apparently, indifferently. Now he repeated questioningly: "Wallmoden?" + +"The new Prussian Ambassador to our court, a genuine diplomat in +appearance; aristocratic, cool and buttoned up to the chin; also having +very agreeable manners. Her Excellency, the Frau Baroness, was not +visible, which I bore with composure, since the husband already has +gray hair, and consequently the lady would probably be of an age which +one approaches only with veneration." + +A peculiarly bitter expression played around Hartmut's lips as he now +lowered the glass. + +He had kept his encounter with Frau von Wallmoden from his friend. Why +mention the name? He wished to be reminded of it as little as possible. + +"But our romantic forest solitude will soon be ended," continued Egon. +"I heard from the Chief Forester that the court will come to +Furstenstein this year for the hunting season, and I can then expect a +visit from the Duke. I am not very delighted at the prospect, for my +highly honored uncle has a habit of holding forth to me just as +frequent and just as impressive moral sermons as Stadinger, and I must +naturally keep the peace then. But I shall present you at this visit, +Hartmut. You consent?" + +"If you consider it necessary, and the etiquette of your court +allows----" + +"Bah! the etiquette is not so strictly adhered to with us. Besides, the +Rojanows belong to the nobility of your country, do they not?" + +"Certainly." + +"Well, then, you are in every case entitled to the presentation. I +consider it by all means desirable, for I have set my mind on seeing +your 'Arivana' at our Court Theatre; and as soon as the Duke knows you +and your work, that will be done beyond a doubt." + +The words betrayed the passionate admiration the young Prince felt for +his friend; but the latter only shrugged his shoulders slightly. + +"Possibly, particularly if you plead for me; but I do not like to +succeed under protection. I am no poet of renown. Indeed, I'm not sure +whether I am a poet; and if my work cannot smooth a way for itself----" + +"You would be obstinate enough to keep it from publicity; that is like +you. Have you no ambition at all?" + +"Perhaps only too much, and from that arises originally what you call +my obstinacy. I never could bow down and subordinate myself in life. I +could not; my whole nature rose against it, and I am not at all suited +to the ways of your court." + +"Who told you that?" laughed Egon. "They will flatter and spoil you +there, just like everywhere else. It is your nature to rise everywhere +like a meteor, and one does not expect these stars to travel in old +routes. Besides, you have from the start the exceptional position of +guest and foreigner, and when you are once summoned by the halo of +poesy, then----" + +"Then it is with that you intend to keep me here in your country?" + +"Well, then, yes. I do not think that I alone possess the power to keep +you here permanently, you wild, restless guest; but a rising poet's +name is a fetter which one does not slip off so easily, and I have +sworn to myself since this morning not to let you go again at any +price." + +Rojanow started and looked at him inquiringly. + +"Why just since this morning?" + +"That is my secret for the present," said Egon, jestingly. + +"Ah, more guests are coming here, it seems." + +A step was heard upon the narrow, winding stone stairs, and the bearded +face of the tower watchman appeared at the opening which led to the +platform. + +"Please take care, gracious lady," he said, warningly, looking back +with concern; "the last steps are very steep and much worn. So, now we +are at the top." + +He offered a helping hand to the lady who followed him, but she did not +need it, ascending easily with effort. + +"What a beautiful girl!" whispered Prince Adelsberg to his friend, who, +instead of replying, made a deep and formal bow before the lady. She +could not conceal a certain surprise at the sight of him. "Ah, Herr +Rojanow, you here?" + +"I am admiring the view from the Hochberg, which may also have +attracted you, Your Excellency." + +The face of the Prince betrayed boundless astonishment when the +"beautiful girl" was called "Excellency," and when he saw that she was +not a stranger to his friend. He speedily drew near for an introduction +to this acquaintance, and Hartmut could not avoid presenting the Prince +Adelsberg to the Baroness Wallmoden. + +He touched upon the forest encounter very lightly, for the lady found +it convenient to-day to enshroud herself in her haughty reserve. It was +hardly necessary, for Rojanow observed the strictest reticence. Both +seemed decided to treat the acquaintance as a very slight and formal +one. + +Egon had thrown a glance of the liveliest reproach upon his friend. He +could not understand how Hartmut could have kept such a meeting to +himself; but, after that, he cast himself with ardor into the +conversation. He announced himself a neighbor, mentioned his recent +call at Furstenstein, and expressed his regret at having missed Frau +von Wallmoden at that time. A conversation was commenced, in which the +Prince exhibited his amiability and vivacity, while retaining the +reserve of etiquette. He knew from the beginning that he stood before +the wife of the Ambassador, whom one could not approach with a bold +compliment, as Hartmut had ventured. + +Finally his happy, unaffected good humor succeeded in diminishing the +icy atmosphere which surrounded the beautiful woman, and he had the +good fortune of being permitted to show and explain to her the +surrounding country. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI. + + +Hartmut did not join in the conversation with his usual vivacity, and +when he again drew out the glass from his pocket, at the Prince's +request, he suddenly missed his letter-case. + +The watchman offered at once to look for it, but Rojanow declared he +would do it himself. He remembered exactly the place where something +had slipped to the floor when he came up the stairs, which he had not +noticed at the time. It was the letter-case, no doubt, and he would +find it with little trouble and return. Saying which, he bowed and +departed. + +Under other circumstances Egon would doubtless have thought it strange +that his friend should refuse the offer of the old man and take upon +himself the trouble of searching the dark stairway, but he was at +present so totally occupied with his office of explanatory exhibitor +that he did not seem to regret being left alone. + +Frau von Wallmoden had accepted the glass which he offered her and +followed with apparent attention his explanations as he pointed out all +the various heights and villages. + +"And over yonder, behind those hills, lies Rodeck," he concluded; "the +little hunting lodge where we live like two hermits, cut off from all +the world, having only the company of monkeys and parrots, which we +brought from the Orient, and which have already become quite +melancholy." + +"You do not look at all like a hermit, Your Highness," said the young +Baroness, with a fleeting smile. + +"In truth, I have not much taste for it; but at times Hartmut has +perfect attacks of the ailment, and then I bury myself in solitude for +weeks for his pleasure." + +"Hartmut! That is a thoroughly German name, and it is also surprising +that Herr Rojanow speaks German with such fluency and without even a +foreign intonation. Yet he introduced himself to me as a foreigner." + +"Certainly. He comes from Roumania, but was raised by relatives in +Germany, from whom also he may have inherited the German name," said +the Prince, simply. + +It was plainly to be seen that he knew nothing further of the origin of +his friend. "I became acquainted with him at Paris, when I was about to +begin my trip to the East, and he decided to accompany me. It was my +good star of fortune that brought him to me." + +"You seem infatuated with your friend." + +There was something like disapprobation in the tone. + +"Yes, Your Excellency, I am indeed," affirmed Egon, warmly; "and not I +alone. Hartmut is one of those genial natures who conquers and wins +people by storm wherever he appears. You should see and hear him when +he is heart and soul enthusiastic. Then his soul flames like fire into +yours. He envelops everything with his warmth; one has to follow where +his flight leads." + +The enthusiastic eulogy found a very cool listener. The young lady +seemed to bend all her attention upon the landscape, as she replied: +"You may be correct. Herr Rojanow's eyes betray something of it, but +such fiery natures make upon me an impression more uncanny than +sympathetic." + +"Perhaps because they bear the demoniac lines which are peculiar to +genius. Hartmut has them. He startles me sometimes, and yet the dark +depths of his nature draw me irresistibly to him. I have actually +forgotten how to live without him and shall try everything to retain +him in our country." + +"In Germany? You will hardly succeed in that, Your Highness. Herr +Rojanow has a poor opinion of our fatherland. He betrayed that to me +the day before yesterday in rather an offensive way." + +The Prince became attentive. The words at once explained the cold +reserve, which was not usually Hartmut's manner toward a beautiful +woman, and which had surprised him at the first moment. But he smiled. + +"Ah, that was the reason why he did not speak of the encounter. Your +Excellency has probably shown him your displeasure. It serves him +right. Why does he prevaricate with such persistency? He has irritated +me often enough with this assumed depreciation, which I accepted then +in good faith; but I know better now." + +"You do not believe in it?" Adelaide suddenly turned from the view to +the speaker. + +"No, I have the proof of it in my hands. He is infatuated with our +German land. You look at me incredulously, Your Excellency. May I +impart a secret to you?" + +"Well?" + +"I was looking for Hartmut this morning in his room, but did not find +him, I found, instead, a poem upon his desk, which he had probably +forgotten to lock up, for it was surely not intended for my eyes. I +stole it, without any compunction of conscience, and carry the spoils +still with me. Will you permit me to read it?" + +"I do not understand the Roumanian language," said Frau von Wallmoden, +with cool satire. "Herr Rojanow has scarcely condescended to compose a +poem in German." + +Instead of answering, Egon drew out the paper and opened it. "You are +prejudiced against my friend; I see it. But I do not like you to regard +him in the wrong light in which he has placed himself. May I justify +him with his own words?" + +"If you please." + +The words sounded indifferent, and yet Adelaide's gaze was riveted with +a strange expectancy upon the paper, which seemed to contain only a few +hastily written stanzas. Egon read. + +They were German verses, indeed; but of a perfection and harmony which +could belong only to a master of the language. The pictures they +conjured up before the listener were strangely familiar. Deep, dreamy +forest solitude, touched by the first breath of approaching autumn; +endless green depths which beckoned and charmed irresistibly with their +twilight shadows; aromatic meadows flooded with sunlight; small, still +waters, which gleamed in the distance, and the foaming forest brook +roaring down from the heights. + +And this picture had taken on life and language. That which whispered +in it was the old, old song of the forest itself; its murmuring and +rustling--its mysterious working gathered into words which enchanted +the ear of the listener like melody, while through it all floated and +moaned a deep, unspeakable longing for this forest peace. + +The Prince read warmly at first, then with great enthusiasm. Now he +dropped the sheet and asked triumphantly: + +"Well?" + +The young Baroness had listened spellbound. She did not look at the +reader, but stared motionless into the blue distance. At the question +she started slightly and hastily turned. + +"What did you say, Your Highness?" + +"Is this the language of a depredator of our fatherland? I believe +not," said Egon in most decided tones, but greatly as he was engrossed +with his friend's poetry, he could still notice how exceptionally +beautiful Frau von Wallmoden looked at this moment. + +Of course, it must have been the setting sun which lent the rosy +coloring to her face and the brilliancy to her eyes, for her bearing +was as cold as her answer. + +"It is really surprising that a foreigner should command the German +language so perfectly." + +Egon looked at her in amazement. Was this all? He had expected a +different impression. "And what do you think of the poem itself?" he +asked. + +"Quite excellent. Herr Rojanow seems indeed to possess much poetic +talent. But here is your glass, Your Highness. I thank you. I must be +thinking of the descent now, as I do not wish to keep my husband +waiting too long." + +Egon folded up the paper slowly and deposited it in his breast pocket. +He felt the icy breath now surround again the beautiful woman, which +chilled him to the heart. + +"I already have the honor of an acquaintance with His Excellency," he +said. "May I renew it today?" + +A slight bow gave the permission to accompany her. They left the +platform, but the Prince had grown somewhat monosyllabic. He felt +offended for his friend, and now regretted having given this poetry, +the beauty of which carried him away, to a lady who had no +understanding of, nor appreciation whatever for, poetry. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII. + + +Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost +letter-case resting safely in its usual place. It had served its +purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while. + +Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her +husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the +troublesome climbing of the steep stairs. + +Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at +least take place without witnesses. If Wallmoden should recognize the +son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be +able to master his surprise. + +Hartmut did not fear this meeting, even if it were inconvenient and +uncomfortable to him. There was but one face in the whole world he +feared--only one face to which he would not dare lift his eyes--and +that face was far away; probably he would never see it again. Every one +else he met with the proud defiance of a man who had only done right in +withdrawing from a hated vocation. + +He was decided upon not permitting any expression of reproach, but, if +he should be recognized, to request the Ambassador in the most decided +manner to consider certain old connections, with which he had so +totally broken, as no longer existing. With this conclusion he emerged +into the open air. + +Herbert Wallmoden sat with his sister upon the little veranda of the +inn. The Chief Forester had been too much occupied with the approaching +arrival of the court, the hunting expeditions of which he had to +arrange, to accompany the party. The betrothed couple had also remained +at home; but the day for the little trip could not have been more +pleasant. + +"This Hochberg is really worth seeing," said Frau von Eschenhagen, her +eyes roaming over the country. "We have almost the same view here as +upon the top of the tower. Why climb and overheat oneself and lose +one's breath on those never-ending steps?" + +"Adelaide was of a different opinion," replied Wallmoden, with a casual +glance at the tower. "She does not know fatigue nor how to get +overheated." + +"And also how not to catch cold. She proved that the day before +yesterday, when she came home drenched through. She did not catch the +least cold." + +"Nevertheless, I have requested her to take an escort for her future +walks," said the Ambassador, calmly. "To get lost in the forest, wade a +creek, and be guided to the right path by the first hunter one comes +across are things which must not occur again. Adelaide agreed with me +and promised immediately to obey my wishes." + +"Yes, she is a sensible woman, a thoroughly healthy nature from which +anything romantic or adventurous is far removed," complimented Regine. +"But there seem to be more visitors upon the tower. I thought we should +be the only guests to-day." + +Wallmoden looked indifferently at the tall, slender gentleman who now +emerged from the small tower door and walked toward the inn. Frau von +Eschenhagen also looked at him carelessly; but suddenly her glance grew +keener, and she started. + +"Herbert--look!" + +"Where?" + +"That stranger there. What a strange resemblance!" + +"To whom?" asked Herbert, growing more attentive and looking sharply at +the stranger. + +"To--impossible! That is not only a resemblance. It is he himself." + +She sprang up, pale with excitement, and her look fastened itself upon +the features of the man just now putting his foot upon the first step +of the veranda. She met his eyes, those dark, glowing eyes, which had +so often shone upon her from the face of the boy, and the last doubt +disappeared. + +"Hartmut--Hartmut Falkenried--you----" + +She was suddenly silenced by Wallmoden's laying his hand heavily upon +her arm and saying slowly, but with emphasis: "You are mistaken, +Regine. We do not know this gentleman." + +Hartmut stopped short when he caught sight of Frau von Eschenhagen, who +had been hidden by the foliage. He was not prepared for her presence. +At the moment he recognized her the words of the Ambassador reached his +ear. He knew that icy tone only too well; it forced the blood to his +brow. + +"Herbert!" Regine looked doubtingly at her brother, who still held her +by the arm. + +"We do not know him," he repeated in the same tone. + +"Is it possible that I have to tell you that, Regine?" + +She understood now his meaning. With a half threatening, half painful +glance, she turned her back upon the son of her friend and said, with +deep bitterness: + +"You are right. I was mistaken." + +Hartmut started, and in rising anger he drew a step nearer. + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"Did you speak to me?" The tone was as stinging and scornful as before. + +"You have anticipated my wishes, Your Excellency," said Hartmut, +forcing himself to be calm. "I wished to ask you not to recognize me. +We are strangers to each other." + +He turned and walked off defiantly, tall and erect, and entered the +house by another door. + +Wallmoden looked after him with darkened brow. Then he turned to his +sister. + +"Could you not control yourself better, Regine? Why have a scene at +such a meeting? This Hartmut does not exist any longer for us." + +Regine's face betrayed only too well how much this encounter had +shocked her. Her lips still quivered as she replied: + +"I am no practiced diplomat like you, Herbert. I have not learned to be +still when one whom I thought dead or ruined suddenly appears before +me." + +"Dead? that was hardly to be expected at his age. Ruined, corrupted? +that might be nearer it. His life up to the present moment has lain in +that direction." + +"Do you know about it?" Frau von Eschenhagen started with surprise. "Do +you know of his life?" + +"Partly. Falkenried was too much my friend for me not to investigate +what became of his son. Of course, I was silent to him as well as you +concerning it; but as soon as I had returned to my office that time, I +used our diplomatic relations, which reach everywhere, to inquire about +it." + +"Well, what did you learn?" + +"Principally only that which was to be expected. Zalika had turned her +steps directly homeward with her son. You know that her stepfather--our +cousin Wallmoden--was already dead when she returned to her mother +after the divorce. The connections on our side were thereby broken off, +but I learned that shortly before Zalika's reappearance in Germany she +had come into the possession of the Rojanow estates." + +"Zalika? Did she not have a brother?" + +"Yes, he had charge of the estates for ten years, but died, unmarried, +from an accident while hunting, and, since his mother's second +marriage had resulted in no descendant, Zalika entered now upon the +inheritance--at least in name--for through the reckless management of +the Bojar, the most of it belonged to the Jews. Nevertheless, she now +felt herself master, and planned the _coup_ of getting possession of +her son. The old, wild life was then continued upon the estates for a +few years, with senseless management, until everything was gone. Then +mother and son, like a couple of gypsies, went out into the wide +world." + +Wallmoden narrated this with the same cold contempt which he had shown +to Hartmut, and the same horror and aversion were pictured in the face +of his sister--that strictly duteous and moral lady. Nevertheless, a +certain degree of sympathy was in her voice as she asked: "And you have +not heard anything of them since?" + +"Yes, several times. A casual mention of the name led me to the track. +While I was at the embassy at Florence, they were in Rome; a few years +later they appeared in Paris, and there I heard of the death of Frau +Zalika Rojanow." + +"So she is dead," said Frau von Eschenhagen, in a low voice. "What do +you think they have lived on all these years?" + +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders. + +"What do all adventurers who wander homeless over the world live on? +They may perhaps have saved something from the wreck, perhaps not. At +any rate, they visited all the salons in Paris and Rome. A woman like +Zalika finds help and protection everywhere. She had the title of +nobility as daughter of a Bojar, and the forced sale of the Roumania +property was probably not known, so it played a prominent part in their +success. Society opens its doors only too quickly to this element if it +knows how to keep up appearances, which seems to have been the case +here. By what means, that, of course, is another question." + +"But Hartmut, whom she forcibly carried into such a life--what of him?" + +"An adventurer--what else?" said the Ambassador, with intense +harshness. "He always had an inclination that way; he will have +developed finely in such a school. I have not heard anything of him +since the death of his mother, three years ago." + +"And you kept it a secret from me?" said Regine, reproachfully. + +"I wished to spare you. You had taken this scoundrel--this Hartmut--too +much into your heart. I was afraid you might be carried away in a hint +to Falkenried." + +"You took unnecessary pains. I have ventured but once to speak of +the past to Falkenried. He looked at me--I shall never forget that +look--and said, with an awful expression: 'My son is dead--you know +that, Regine. Let the dead rest!' I shall certainly not mention that +name to him again." + +"Then I do not need to caution you when you return home," replied +Wallmoden. "But you ought not to speak of it to Willibald, either. His +good nature might play him a trick when he learns that his once great +friend lives in the neighborhood. It is best for him to hear nothing of +it. I shall certainly ignore this _gentleman_ at a possible second +meeting, and Adelaide does not know him at all. She does not even know +that Falkenried had a son." + +He broke off and arose, for his young wife now appeared in the door of +the tower. + +Prince Adelsberg renewed the acquaintance of yesterday and inquired +innocently if his friend, Rojanow, had passed by here. He could not +explain his absence. + +A glance from Wallmoden warned his sister, who was proof this time +against surprise. Wallmoden himself regretted not having seen the +gentleman, and said that he was just about to leave with his wife and +sister, having only awaited the former's return. The order for the +carriage was given at once, to which Egon accompanied them, taking +leave of them with a deep bow, but following the carriage with +attentive eyes. + +Hartmut stood alone at a window of the inn, also observing the +departure. The same ashy paleness again overspread his face, which had +gleamed there at the first mention of the name of Wallmoden; but now it +was the whiteness of a wild anger which almost shocked him. + +He had expected questions and reproaches, which, of course, he had +intended to refute haughtily; but was met instead with a complete +ignoring, which was a deadly insult to his pride. Wallmoden's harsh +warning to his sister, "We do not know him--have I to remind you of +that?" had wrought up his whole being. He felt the annihilation +contained in it. And the woman, who had always shown him a mother's +love--even Frau von Eschenhagen--had joined her brother in turning her +back upon him, as upon a person one is ashamed to have once known. This +was too much. + +"Well, here you are!" Egon's voice came from the door. "You disappeared +as if the earth had swallowed you. Has the unlucky letter-case been +found?" + +Rojanow turned. He was obliged to recall the pretext he had used. + +"Yes, indeed," he answered absently, "it lay upon the stairs." + +"Well, the guide would have found it just as well. Why did you not come +back? Very polite of you to leave Frau von Wallmoden and me without +ceremony. You have not even taken leave of the lady. His Excellency's +highest displeasure is sure to fall upon you." + +"I shall know how to bear the misfortune," said Hartmut, shrugging his +shoulders. + +The Prince drew near and laid his hand jestingly upon his friend's +shoulder. + +"So? It is probably because you fell into disgrace yesterday. It is not +your usual way to run off where the entertainment of a beautiful lady +is concerned. Oh, I know all about it. Her Excellency has given you a +lecture over your loving tirades against Germany, and the spoiled +favorite has been offended. Why, one could afford to be told the truth +by such lips." + +"You seem to be quite transported," sneered Hartmut. "Beware lest the +husband be not jealous in spite of his years." + +"It is a strange couple," said Egon musingly, as if lost in thought; +"that old diplomat, with his gray hair and immovable face, and his +young wife with her brilliant beauty like----" + +"An aurora which rises from a sea of ice. It is only a question of +which stood furthest below zero." + +The young Prince laughed heartily. "Very poetical and very malicious; +but you are not far wrong. I have also felt something of this polar +breath touching me chillingly several times; but that is my luck. +Otherwise I would fall hopelessly in love with the beautiful +Excellency. But I think it is time for us to leave, _nicht wahr?_" + +He went to the door to call the groom. Hartmut following, threw one +more glance out to where, through an opening in the forest, the +Ambassador's carriage was again visible, and his hands clinched +involuntarily. + +"We shall speak yet, Herr Wallmoden," he muttered. "I shall remain now. +He shall not think that I fly from his presence. I shall allow Egon to +present me at court, and exert my utmost to make my work a success. We +shall see then if he dares treat me like a first-class adventurer. He +shall pay for that tone and look!" + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII. + + +Everything at Furstenstein was in a state of preparation for the +arrival of the Court. Their stay was to be of longer duration than for +a short hunting expedition; they were to remain several weeks, for +which time the Duchess also was expected. The upper stories of the +castle, with their numerous suites of rooms, were being aired and put +in order. A portion of the court officials and servants had already +arrived. Extensive and festive preparations were also being made in +Waldhofen, through which the Court was to pass on its way to the +castle. + +Wallmoden's stay, which, under ordinary circumstances, would have been +short, was prolonged. The Duke, who was pleased to distinguish the +Ambassador in every way, had heard of his attending a family fête at +Furstenstein, and had expressed a wish to find him and his wife still +there. The invitation was equivalent to a command which had to be +obeyed. + +Frau von Eschenhagen and her son also wished to remain to look at the +Court in close proximity; and the Chief Forester, who wished to +distinguish himself in the probably extensive hunts, held daily +conferences with the Head Forester and his subordinates, and put the +whole forestry in motion. + +There was much bustle already about the castle. A sound of merry +chattering and clear laughter came from Fraulein von Schonan's room. +Marietta Volkmar had come to her friend for an hour, and as usual there +was no end to the talking and laughing. + +Toni sat near the window, and Willibald, who was acting as guard at his +mother's command, stood beside her. + +Frau von Eschenhagen so far had not had her way about the intercourse +of the two girls. Her brother-in-law had remained obstinate, and even +her future daughter-in-law, usually so compliant, rendered unexpected +resistance when the subject was broached. + +"I cannot, dear Aunt," Toni had answered. "Marietta is so sweet and +good that I cannot offend her so bitterly." + +Sweet and good! Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders over the +inexperience of the young girl, whose eyes she did not wish to open, +but she felt bound to interfere, and concluded to act diplomatically +this time. + +Willibald, accustomed to confess everything to his mother, had narrated +to a fine point the encounter with the young singer. Frau von +Eschenhagen had naturally been beside herself to think that the master +of Burgsdorf should have carried a satchel behind the "theatre +princess!" On the other hand, she heard the description of his horror +upon learning who this lady really was, and his running away, with high +pleasure, and thought it exceedingly praiseworthy that he objected to +the rôle of guard over the girl. Of course he disliked every touch with +such a person; but since his mother found it beneath her dignity to +attend these meetings, he _must_ protect his bride-elect. + +He was given the curt command to never leave the young ladies alone, +but to report explicitly how this Marietta actually behaved herself. +After the first report, which would undoubtedly be atrocious, Frau +Regine would impress upon her brother-in-law's conscience the frivolous +association he had allowed his child; would call upon her son as +witness, and request emphatically the breaking off of the friendship. + +Willibald had finally consented. He had been present when Fraulein +Volkmar made her first visit to Furstenstein. He had accompanied his +fiancée when she returned the call at Waldhofen, and now stood at his +post to-day. + +Antonie and Marietta talked about the expected arrival of the Court, +and the former, who had but little taste in dress, asked her friend's +advice, which was gladly given. + +"What must you wear? Roses, of course," said Marietta; "white or +delicate-colored ones. They will look lovely with the dainty blue." + +"But I do not like roses," declared Toni. "I intended to wear +asters----" + +"Then why not sunflowers? Do you wish to appear autumnal in spite of +everything, although you are a young girl and a bride-elect? And how +can you help liking roses? I love them passionately and use them at +every opportunity. I wanted so much to wear a rose in my hair at the +Mayor's party to-night, and am quite unhappy because none are to be +found anywhere in Waldhofen. Of course it is late in the season." + +"The gardener has roses in the hothouse," remarked Antonie in the +sleepy manner which was such a sharp contrast to her vivacious friend. + +The latter shook her head laughingly. + +"They are doubtless for the Duchess' use, and we poor mortals dare not +venture to ask for one. What's the use? I must deny myself that +pleasure---- But to return to the dress question. You are quite +superfluous in this, Herr von Eschenhagen. You do not understand a +thing about it and must be bored to death, but in spite of it you do +not waver nor move; besides, what is there so remarkable about me that +you look at me so constantly?" + +The words sounded very ungracious. Willy started, for the last reproach +was well founded. He had been meditating upon how a fresh, half-open +rose would look in the dark, curly locks, and, of course, had to +subject the curls and the head belonging to them to a minute +observation, which his fiancée had passed unnoticed. + +"Yes, Willy, go," she now said good-naturedly. "You must really feel +bored over our dress affairs, and I have much to talk over yet with +Marietta." + +"Just as you wish, dear Toni," returned the young lord; "but may I not +come back?" + +"Of course, as soon as you wish." + +Willibald left the room, not in the least remembering that he was +deserting his post. He was thinking of something quite different as he +stood for a few moments in the little ante-room. In consequence of this +meditation he finally descended the stairs and turned his steps +straight to the house of the castle gardener. + +He had scarcely left when Marietta sprang up and exclaimed with comic +vehemence: "Gracious heavens! what a tiresome couple you are!" + +"But, Marietta----" + +"Yes, whether you are offended or not, I declare it is a sacrifice to +friendship to stand it in your presence, and I had anticipated such a +jolly time when I heard you were engaged. You were never particularly +lively, but your betrothed seems to have lost his speech entirely. How +did you manage to become engaged? Did he actually speak then, or did +his mamma attend to that?" + +"Stop your foolishness," replied Antonie, displeased. "Willy is only so +silent in your presence. He can be quite entertaining when we are +alone." + +"Yes, over the new threshing machine he has bought. When I came I +listened a moment before I entered. He was singing the praise of the +before-mentioned threshing machine, and you were listening attentively. +Oh, you will reign as a model couple, but--may heaven protect me in +mercy from such a marriageable blessing!" + +"You are very naughty. Marietta," said the young Baroness, now really +angry, but her mischievous little friend instantly clung to her neck. + +"Don't be mad, Toni. I do not mean any harm, and wish you happiness +with all my heart, but you see my husband has to be of a different +nature." + +"Ah, and how, pray?" asked Toni, half pouting, half reconciled by the +coaxing plea. + +"First, he has to be under my command, and not under his mother's. +Second, he must be a genuine man in whose protection I feel safe. He +need not talk much--I do that--but he must love me so much--so much +that he will not talk about papa or mamma, or his estates, or the new +threshing machine, but let them all go if only he has--me." + +Toni shrugged her shoulders with compassionate superiority. + +"You have very childish views at times, Marietta--but now let us talk +about the dresses." + +"Yes, we will, before your elect returns and posts himself at our side +like a guard. He has a remarkable talent for mounting guard. Now, you +wear with the blue silk----" + +The pending question was not destined to receive a solution this time, +either, for the door opened and Frau von Eschenhagen entered, calling +for Antonie, whose presence was desired elsewhere. + +Antonie arose obediently and left the room. Frau Regine made no effort +to follow her, but took her vacant seat at the window instead. + +The reigning mistress of Burgsdorf was not diplomatically inclined like +her brother; she had to interfere everywhere with force. She had become +impatient, for Willy had as good as reported nothing. He grew red and +stammered every time he should have repeated what the "theatre +princess" had said and done, and his mother, who would not believe in a +harmless girls' chat, concluded to take the affair in her own hands. + +Marietta had dutifully risen at the entrance of the older lady, whom +she had scarcely seen at the first visit, and whose hostile bearing she +had not observed in the joy of the first meeting. She only thought that +Toni's future mother-in-law had little friendliness about her, but +troubled herself no further about the severe lady who was now measuring +her from head to foot, with the stern mien of a judge. + +In point of fact this Marietta looked just like other young girls, but +she was pretty--very pretty, which was that much worse. She wore her +hair in short curls--that was improper; other bad attributes would +doubtless make their appearance in the conversation which was now +begun. + +"You are a friend of the fiancée of my son?" + +"Yes, gracious lady," was the unembarrassed rejoinder. + +"A friendship which dates from childhood, as you were raised in the +house of Dr. Volkmar?" + +"Certainly; I lost my parents very early." + +"Quite right; my brother-in-law told me so. And to what calling did +your father belong?" + +"He was a physician like my grandpapa," replied Marietta, more amused +than surprised at this examination, the object of which she did not +guess. "My mother was also the daughter of a physician--a whole medical +family, is it not? Only I have taken a different course." + +"Alas, yes," said Frau von Eschenhagen with emphasis. + +The young girl looked at her with surprise. Was that a jest? The mien +of the lady was not at all mirthful, though, as she continued: "You +will admit, my child, that if one has the good fortune to come from an +honorable and respected family, one ought to show oneself worthy of it. +You ought to have chosen your vocation accordingly." + +"Mon Dieu! but I could not study medicine like my father and +grandfather," exclaimed Marietta, breaking into an amused laugh. The +affair gave her endless fun, but the remark displeased her stern judge, +who replied with considerable sharpness: + +"There are, God be thanked, plenty of proper vocations for a young +girl. You are a singer?" + +"Yes, gracious lady, at the Court Theatre." + +"I know it. Are you disposed to accept a dismissal?" + +The question was put so suddenly, in such a domineering tone, that +Marietta involuntarily retreated. + +She was still of the opinion that the lord of Burgsdorf, with his +obstinate silence and stormy leave-taking, was not quite sane, and now +she was struck by the thought that it might be a family failing which +he had inherited from his mother, for it was very apparent that +everything was not quite right with her. + +"A dismissal?" she repeated. "But why?" + +"For the sake of morality. I am willing to offer you a helping hand. +Turn aside from this path of frivolity and I pledge myself to find a +place as companion for you." + +Now at last the young singer comprehended the object of the +conversation. Half angrily and half scornfully she tossed back the +little, curly head. + +"I must thank you for it, but I love my work and cannot think of +exchanging it for a dependent position. I am not fit, anyway, for an +upper maid." + +"I have expected this answer," said Frau von Eschenhagen with a grim +nod of the head, "but I consider it my duty to once more appeal to your +conscience. You are still very young and are therefore not responsible +to a great extent for it; the heaviest reproach falls on Doctor +Volkmar, who allowed the daughter of his son to accept such a calling." + +"Gracious lady, I must beg you to leave my grandfather entirely out of +the question," cried Marietta indignantly. "You are Toni's future +mother-in-law--otherwise I should not have stood this examination--but +I will not suffer an insult to my grandfather from anybody on the +earth." + +In their excitement the two ladies had not noticed that the door +leading to the ante-room had opened quietly, and that Willibald had +appeared. He was much surprised when he saw his mother, and hastily +thrust in his pocket something that he carried carefully wrapped in +paper, but he remained standing in the door. + +"I do not intend to argue with you," said Frau von Eschenhagen in lofty +tones, "but since I am Toni's future mother-in-law, I have the right to +warn her of a friendship which does not seem proper to me. Pray do not +misunderstand me. I am not haughty. The granddaughter of Dr. Volkmar +would be quite welcome to a continuance of friendship, but a lady from +a theatre probably has all of her connections in theatrical circles, +and here at Furstenstein---- I hope you understand me?" + +"Oh, yes, I understand you, gracious lady," cried Marietta, whose face +was suddenly suffused by a deep blush. "You do not need to say anything +more. I ask but for one more word. Is Herr von Schonan--is Antonie--of +the same opinion as yourself?" + +"Chiefly so as to the matter of it, but, of course, they do not +wish--with explanations--to----" A very graphic shrug finished the +sentence. + +The otherwise just and truth-loving woman did not even feel that she +was plainly telling an untruth. So taken up with her idea was she that +she was firmly convinced that the Chief Forester kept up the +intercourse only through a spirit of spite, and Antonie through her +good nature, although it must be uncomfortable to them, and she was +firmly decided to bring this thing to an end. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX. + + +But something unexpected happened now. Willibald, who still stood upon +the threshold, advanced into the room and exclaimed, half entreatingly, +half reproachfully: "But, mamma!" + +"Is it you, Willy? What do you want here?" demanded Frau von +Eschenhagen, noticing him for the first time, and to whom the +interruption was very unwelcome. + +Willibald saw very well that his mother was very ungraciously inclined, +and was accustomed always to retreat when he found her in that mood, +but today, with unusual courage, he remained. He drew nearer and +repeated, "But, mamma, I beg of you--Toni has never thought of Fraulein +Volkmar's----" + +"How dare you! do you wish to accuse me of an untruth?" the angered +mother flamed. "What is it to you that I speak with Fraulein Volkmar? +Your fiancée is not here--you see that--therefore leave us!" + +The young lord grew darkly red at this tone, to which he was +accustomed; he seemed to feel shame at the treatment because of the +young girl, and looked as if he would offer some resistance, but at a +threatening, "Well, did you not hear?" the old habit conquered. He +turned hesitatingly and actually left the room, but the door remained +slightly ajar. + +Marietta looked after him with scornfully curled lips, then turned to +her opponent. + +"You may rest assured, gracious lady, that I have come to Furstenstein +for the last time. As the Chief Forester received me with his usual +cordiality, and Antonie with the old affection, I did not comprehend +that I now bear a stain in their eyes. I certainly would not have made +myself troublesome otherwise. It shall not happen again--no, never!" + +Her voice faltered; with effort she suppressed the tears, but they +trembled bitterly and plaintively around the little mouth, and Frau von +Eschenhagen felt that she had gone too far in her management of the +case. + +"I did not wish to offend you," she said soothingly. "I only intended +to make clear to you----" + +"You did not wish to offend me and yet tell me such things," +interrupted the young girl in an outburst of anger. "You treat me like +an outcast, who should not dare to approach decent circles, because I +earn my living, and give pleasure to mankind with a gift which God has +given me. You abuse my good, dear old grandfather, who has made such +painful sacrifices for my education, who has let me go into the world +with such a heavy heart. Bitter tears stood in his eyes when he drew +me once more into his arms at parting and said: 'Remain good, my +Marietta--one can be good in every position. I can leave you nothing. +If I should close my eyes in death to-day or to-morrow you would have +to struggle for yourself.' And I have remained good, and I will remain +good, even if it is not made easy for me as it is for Toni, who is the +daughter of a rich father, and only leaves her paternal home to go to +the home of her husband. But I do not envy her the good fortune of +calling you mother." + +"Fraulein Volkmar, you forget yourself," cried Regine, highly offended, +rising to her fullest height; but Marietta was not intimidated, she +only grew more excited. + +"Oh, no; it is not I who forget myself. You are the one--you who +insult me without cause, and I know that the Chief Forester and Antonie +are under your influence if they turn from me. Nevertheless, I do not +want any kindness nor friendship which cannot stand more firmly, +and I am done with a friend who gives me up at the request of her +mother-in-law--done with her once for all. Tell her so, Frau von +Eschenhagen." + +She turned and left the room with a stormy gesture, but in the +ante-room the carefully preserved composure gave way; pain overcame +anger, and the bravely suppressed tears burst forth hotly. The young +girl leaned her head against the wall in passionate, bitter sobbing +over the insult. + +Hearing her name called in a low, timid voice, she looked up and saw +Willibald von Eschenhagen standing before her, holding out the paper +which he had dropped so hastily into his pocket. It was folded back +now, and disclosed a rose branch, bearing a wonderfully beautiful and +fragrant blossom with two half-open buds. + +"Fraulein Volkmar," he repeated, stammering, "you wished a rose--please +accept----" + +Mute apology for his mother's rudeness could be plainly seen in his +eyes and his whole bearing. Marietta suppressed her sobs, but the tears +still glistened in the dark eyes, which looked at him with an +inexpressibly contemptuous expression. + +"No, I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen," she replied sharply. "You have +probably heard what has been said in there and have also probably +received a command to shun me. Why do you not obey?" + +"My mother has done you wrong," Willibald said half aloud, "and she +also spoke without the knowledge of the others. Toni does not know +anything about it, believe me----" + +"So you knew that and did not offer a word of contradiction!" the girl +interrupted, scarlet with anger. "You listened to your mother insulting +and offending a defenseless girl and did not have chivalry enough to +oppose it! Oh, yes, you tried it, but were scolded and sent off like a +schoolboy and--bore it meekly!" + +Willibald stood there as if thunderstruck. He had, indeed, felt the +injustice of his mother deeply, and wished to make it good to the best +of his ability, and now he was treated like this! He stared at Marietta +in deep perplexity, while she only grew angrier at his silence. + +"And now you come and bring me flowers," she continued, with increasing +passion, "secretly--behind your mother's back, and think that I will +accept such an apology! You would better learn first how a _man_ +deports himself when he is witness to such injustice. But now--now I +will show you what I think of your present and of you!" + +She tore the paper with its contents out of his hand, threw it on the +ground, and in the next second her little foot stamped upon the +fragrant blossoms. + +"My, Fraulein----" Willibald wavered between shame and indignation, but +a stern glance from the hitherto saucy eyes silenced him, and the poor +roses were finished by a push from the small foot. + +"So--now we are at the end. If Toni really knows nothing of this affair +I shall be sorry, but in spite of it I must remain away in the future, +for I will not expose myself to fresh insults. May she be happy. I +could not be in her place. I am a poor girl, but I would not accept a +man who is still afraid of his mother's switch--no, not if he were ten +times lord of Burgsdorf!" + +With which she disappeared, and left the poor lord standing alone. + +"Willy, what does this mean?" demanded the voice of Frau von +Eschenhagen, who appeared in the door. As no reply came, she approached +her son with threatening mien. + +"It was certainly a strange scene which I had to look upon. Will you be +so good as to explain what it really meant? That little thing actually +glared with anger and said the most impertinent things to your face, +and you stood there like a sheep, without defending yourself." + +"Because she was right," murmured Willibald, still looking at the +roses. + +"She was what?" demanded the mother, who could not believe that she had +heard aright. + +The young lord raised his head and looked at her. He had a peculiar +expression on his face. + +"She was right, I say, mamma. It is true, you have treated me like a +schoolboy. I ought not to have submitted to it." + +"Boy, I believe you are not in your senses," said Frau Regine, but +Willibald started in irritation: + +"I am no boy. I am lord of Burgsdorf and twenty-seven years old. You +forget that always, mamma, and I have forgotten it always--but now I +recall it." + +Frau von Eschenhagen looked with boundless astonishment at her hitherto +obedient son, who was now suddenly making resistance. + +"I actually believe you would like to be rebellious, my boy. Do not +try; you know I will not permit it. What possesses you suddenly to be +so arbitrary? While I try to end a highly improper intercourse and put +aside this Marietta, you go and, behind my back, actually offer an +apology for it--even offer her the roses which you had intended for +your betrothed. Although I do not know how you came to do it, it is the +first time in your life--but Toni will not thank you for it. It served +you right that the little witch crushed them. You will leave such +foolishness alone in the future." + +She scolded him in the usual tone without taking any notice of his +rebellion, but Willibald took it wrongly this time. He who had but ten +minutes before hidden the flowers in his pocket with fear now had a +touch of heroism. Instead of leaving his mother in her belief and +hushing the dangerous storm, he positively challenged it. + +"The roses were not destined for Toni at all, but for Fraulein +Volkmar," he explained defiantly. + +"For----" the word choked the terror-stricken woman. + +"For Marietta Volkmar! She wanted to wear a rose in her hair to-night, +and since there were none to be had in Waldhofen, I went to the castle +gardener and got those flowers. Now you know it all, mamma." + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood there like a pillar of salt. She had turned +ashy pale, for suddenly a light had dawned upon her, but it showed her +something so awful that she lost both speech and motion for a while. + +But her old fire returned. She grasped her son's arm as if she meant to +have him in any case and said curtly: + +"Willy--we leave to-morrow." + +"Leave!" he repeated. "For where?" + +"Home. We depart to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock, so that we can catch +the fast train and arrive at Burgsdorf the day after to-morrow. Go +immediately to your room and pack." + +But the commanding tone made no impression whatever on Willy this time. + +"I shall not pack," he declared sullenly. + +"You shall pack. I command you." + +"No," defied the young lord. "If you want to leave so badly, mamma, you +can leave--I remain here." + +This was unheard of, but it dispelled the last doubt and the energetic +woman, who still held her son in her grasp, now shook him fiercely. + +"Boy, wake up! Come to your senses! I believe you do not know what is +the matter with you. I will tell you then. You are in love--in love +with this Marietta Volkmar." + +She threw the last words at him with annihilating emphasis, but +Willibald was not in the least annihilated. He stood quite still from +surprise for a moment. He had not thought of that, but now it began to +dawn upon him. + +"Oh," he said with a deep sigh, and something like a smile flitted over +his features. + +"'Oh!' is that your whole answer?" burst forth the enraged mother, who +had hoped for a denial. "You do not even deny it? And I have to live to +see that in my own son whom I have raised--who has never been allowed +to leave my side! While I put you there as a guard during those +previous visits to your fiancée she bewitches you--that is plain--and +even plays the virtuous, deeply offended one before you--this----" + +"Mamma, stop; I cannot allow it," interrupted Willibald, irritated +beyond silence. + +"You cannot allow it? What does it mean----" Frau von Eschenhagen +suddenly paused and looked toward the door, listening. "Toni is +returning, there--your betrothed, to whom you have pledged your word, +who wears your ring. How will you account to her?" + +She had finally struck the right chord. The young lord started at this +thought and bowed his head mutely when Antonie entered, quite +unconcerned. + +"You have returned already, Willy?" she asked. "I thought--but what is +it? Has anything happened?" + +"Yes," answered Frau Regine, grasping the reins, as usual, decisively. +"We have just received a communication from Burgsdorf which forces us +to depart to-morrow morning. You need not be frightened, my child, it +is nothing dangerous--only a foolishness"--she laid sharp emphasis on +the word--"a foolishness which has been committed, but which will be +removed just as speedily by quick interference. I will tell you all +about it later, but for the present nothing can be done but by our +departure." + +Curiosity was not one of Antonie's faults, and even this quite +unexpected news was not able to ruffle her composure. The statement +that nothing serious was concerned satisfied her entirely. + +"Must Willy leave also?" she asked without particular enthusiasm. +"Cannot he at least remain?" + +"Answer your fiancée yourself, Willy," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +fixing her sharp, gray eyes upon her son. "You know best what the +circumstances are. Can you really consent to stay here?" + +A short pause. Willibald's glance met his mother's; then he turned away +and said in a suppressed voice, "No, Toni, I must go home--nothing else +is possible." + +Toni accepted the decision, which would have pained another girl +deeply, with moderate regret, and began to inquire directly where the +travelers would dine to-morrow, since the fast train had no stoppage +anywhere. This seemed to grieve her as much as the separation, but she +finally concluded that it would be best for them to take a lunch along +to eat on the train. + +Frau von Eschenhagen felt triumphant when she went to her +brother-in-law to notify him of their departure, for which she had +already found a pretext. + +Many a thing could happen on the large estates to afford an +explanation. + +Naturally, the Chief Forester must not learn the truth any more than +his daughter, although he had caused the whole trouble in his +blindness. + +Regine did not doubt in the least that as soon as she removed her Willy +from the fascinating circle of this "witch" he would return to reason. +Had he not shown it just now? + +She would not see that honor toward his betrothed alone had conquered, +and that it had been a terrible mistake to expose his feelings to +another. + +"Wait, my boy," she muttered grimly. "I will teach you to commence such +things, and to rebel against your mother. When once I have you at +Burgsdorf, may God have mercy on you!" + + + + + CHAPTER XX. + + +On the appointed day the Duke, with the Duchess and a numerous suite, +arrived at Furstenstein, and the life full of splendor which had been +led in former times began again in the wide, beautiful hunting grounds +of the Wald. + +The present sovereign was no ardent huntsman, and the hunting lodge of +his ancestors had stood deserted for years, or was occupied only at +long intervals for a brief visit. Now, when a prolonged stay was +anticipated, the spacious castle scarce afforded room enough for the +guests; a part of them were quartered in neighboring Waldhofen, which +made the little town, as well as the entire vicinity, very festive in +joyful excitement. + +The owners of the neighboring castles and villas, who, like Prince +Adelsberg, belonged to the best families of the land, were induced by +the arrival of the Court to take up their fall quarters there, too. +Nearly everybody had brought numerous guests, and so an unusual life +and bustle developed in the silent Wald, the centre of which activity +being, of course, Furstenstein. + +The castle shone to-night in fullest splendor; every window of the +upper floor was lighted, and in the court torches threw their red light +upon the walls and towers gray with age. + +It was the occasion of the first large fête since the arrival of the +princely family, to which were asked all the nobility of the +neighborhood, the higher officials of the district, and, in short, +everybody who had any claim upon their sovereign's notice. + +The castle, which was built in a grand style, contained a number of +gorgeous rooms of state, which, with their old-fashioned but costly +furnishings, and the brilliant company moving through them, afforded a +decidedly splendid spectacle. + +The young wife of the Prussian Ambassador was a new star among the +ladies present. Mourning for her father, who had died shortly after her +marriage, had kept her from all festivities, and she entered to-day for +the first time this brilliant circle, where the position of her husband +assured her a prominent place, and where she was being treated by the +Duke and Duchess with noticeable distinction. + +The rising of this new star was noticed by the ladies, of course, with +some displeasure. They found Frau von Wallmoden very haughty in her +cool composure, and that she had very little occasion for such bearing; +for, of course, they all knew that she was a born burgher, who did not +properly belong in this circle, even if her father's wealth and his +prominent position with the industries of the country gave her a +certain distinction. Nevertheless, she moved upon the foreign soil with +a strange ease--the husband must have schooled her well for this first +appearance. + +The gentlemen were of a different opinion. They found that His +Excellency the Ambassador had proved his talent most strikingly in his +own cause. He who already stood upon the border of old age had +understood how to gain, with the hand of this young, beautiful wife, a +fortune extensive enough in itself, but magnified by rumor into the +immeasurable. For this he was envied on all sides. + +Wallmoden did not seem at all surprised at the impression which the +beauty and stateliness of his wife too apparently caused, but accepted +it as something natural. He had expected nothing else; the contrary +would have surprised him in the highest degree. + +At present he was standing in a window recess with his brother-in-law, +the Chief Forester, and after exchanging a few indifferent remarks +about the fête and the guests, he asked casually: "What sort of person +is that whom Prince Adelsberg has introduced? Do you know him?" + +"You mean the young Roumanian?" said Schonan. "No; I see him to-day for +the first time, but have heard of him before. He is the bosom friend of +the Prince, whom he accompanied upon his Eastern travels, and a young +man handsome as a picture--his eyes positively sparkle with fire." + +"He impresses me as an adventurer," remarked Wallmoden coldly. "How +does he happen to have an invitation? Has he been presented to the +Duke?" + +"Yes, at Rodeck, if I am not mistaken; the Duke was there recently. +Prince Adelsberg loves to throw etiquette aside as much as possible. +But this invitation to-day signifies no acceptance, since everybody has +been asked." + +The Ambassador shrugged his shoulders. + +"Nevertheless, one should hesitate about bringing such elements near +one before they come well recommended." + +"Everything must be certified to with letter and seal with you +diplomats," laughed the Chief. "This Rojanow has certainly something +aristocratic about him, and one is never so strict, anyway, with a +foreigner. I can well understand that our sovereigns like to hear and +see something different from the usual court circle, which presents the +same old tiresome face from year to year. The Duke appears to be quite +captivated already with the Roumanian." + +"Yes, it seems so," muttered Wallmoden, upon whose brow a cloud +gathered. + +"But why should this concern us?" remarked Schonan. "I will go now and +look for Toni, who has to appear now everywhere without her betrothed. +That was another notion of Regine's. She departed from us with her son +like a skyrocket. Your sister cannot be detained as soon as the beloved +Burgsdorf is brought into question. If she had only left Willy with us! +Everybody wonders that my future son-in-law should take his departure +before the fête. I cannot understand it at all." + +"A stroke of good fortune that they are gone," thought Wallmoden, as +his brother-in-law left him. "If Willibald had met his former friend +and playmate here unexpectedly another scene similar to that upon the +Hochberg might have occurred. But who would have thought that Hartmut +would carry his defiance so far as to appear in a circle where he was +sure to meet the Ambassador?" + +Prince Adelsberg, who held in this circle one of the highest positions +through his name and relationship to the reigning house, had, indeed, +succeeded with the presentation of his friend, and the Duke seemed to +have had a very favorable opinion of him from the first meeting at +Rodeck, for he now himself presented this young stranger to the +Duchess. + +This Rojanow, with the captivating charm of his personality and the +foreign air which surrounded him, was, indeed, an extraordinary person, +who had only to appear to cause general observation. + +To-day he displayed lavishly all the brilliant attributes which were at +his command. His conversation sparkled with life and spirit, his fiery +temperament, which betrayed itself involuntarily, gave to everything he +said and did a peculiar charm, while he proved himself in every respect +master of society forms and customs. In short, the prophecy of the +Prince was fulfilled. + +Hartmut knew how to conquer everybody here by storm, and had hardly put +his foot upon the soil when he reigned there by the power of his +magnetism. + +This could not pass unnoticed by the Ambassador, even if he did not +come into direct contact with the Roumanian. It was not difficult to +evade each other in the throng of guests, and a meeting was not desired +on either side. + +Wallmoden walked through a side room, where the Duke's sister, the +Princess Sophie, had gathered a large circle around her. + +The Princess, who had married the younger son of a princely house, had +very early become a widow, and had lived since then at the court of her +brother, where she was not in the least popular. While the Duchess +charmed everybody who came into her presence by her grace and kindness, +the older sister was considered haughty and _intriguante_. Everybody +stood in fear of the lady's sharp tongue, which had a habit of saying +something disagreeable to each and every one. + +Herr von Wallmoden did not escape this fate. He was graciously beckoned +to and received flatteries on the beauty of his wife, which was not to +be denied. + +"I offer you my congratulations, Your Excellency. I was quite surprised +when your young wife was presented to me, for I had naturally expected +to see an elderly lady." + +The "naturally" sounded very malicious, for Princess Sophie had known +for months that the wife of the Prussian Ambassador was only nineteen +years old, but he smiled in the most amiable way as he replied: "Your +Highness is very gracious. I can only be grateful that my wife has had +the good fortune to make a favorable impression upon you." + +"Oh, you cannot doubt it. The Duke and Duchess are quite of my opinion. +Frau von Wallmoden is really a beauty--Prince Adelsberg seems to think +so, too. Perhaps you have not observed as yet how very much he admires +your wife?" + +"Yes, Your Highness, I have observed it." + +"Really? And what do you say to it?" + +"I?" inquired Wallmoden with perfect tranquillity. "It rests solely +with my wife as to whether she will permit the admiration of the +Prince. If she finds pleasure in it---- I do not give her any rules in +this respect." + +"An enviable confidence which our young gentlemen ought to pattern +after," said the Princess, vexed that the arrow had missed its aim. "It +is surely very agreeable to a young wife if the husband is not jealous. +Ah, there is Frau von Wallmoden herself, with her cavalier, of course, +at her side. My dear Baroness, we were just speaking of you." + + + + + CHAPTER XXI. + + +Adelaide von Wallmoden, who had just entered in company with Prince +Adelsberg, bowed her recognition of the Princess' notice. + +She made, indeed, a brilliant picture to-night, for the splendid court +toilet enhanced her beauty triumphantly. The costly brocade of the +white dress, which fell to her feet in heavy folds, suited the slender +figure admirably. The pearls encircling her throat and the diamonds +which sparkled in her blond hair were perhaps the most costly of any +worn to-night; but more sharply than ever appeared the cold and serious +expression of the young wife. She did not in the least resemble others +of her age who were also married, but who claimed the right of youth to +dress in dainty laces and flowers. She possessed nothing of their +brightness--the urbane amiability which was so fully brought to view in +them. The severe, serious expression which was an inheritance from her +father, and so indelibly stamped in her nature, betrayed itself in her +character. + +Egon kissed his exalted aunt's hand, and had been honored with a few +gracious words, but from the first, the amiable attention of Her +Highness was quite taken up by the young Baroness, who was immediately +drawn into conversation. + +"I was just expressing my pleasure to His Excellency that you find +yourself so quickly at home in our court circle, dear Baroness. You +enter these circles to-day for the first time, if I understand aright, +and have lived hitherto in entirely different surroundings. You were +born a----" + +"Stahlberg, Your Highness," was the calm rejoinder. + +"Quite right. I remember the name, which has been spoken several times +in my presence. It is honorably known in your native town, I presume." + +"Most gracious aunt, you must permit me to inform you better," joined +in Prince Adelsberg, who seldom permitted an opportunity of vexing his +most gracious aunt to pass by. "The factories of Stahlberg are +world-renowned. They are as well known across the ocean as they are +here. I had an opportunity to learn all about them when I was in +Northern Germany several years ago, and I can assure you that those +works those iron foundries and factories, with their colonies of +officers and their army of workmen, can well vie with many a small +principality, whose sovereign, though, is not such an absolute ruler as +was the father of Her Excellency." + +The Princess cast anything but a friendly glance at her nephew; his +interference was not desired. + +"Indeed! I had no idea of such magnificence," she said in her most +caustic tone. "We may, perhaps, then greet His Excellency as such a +ruler?" + +"Only as administrator, Your Highness," rejoined the Ambassador. "I am +only the executor of my father-in-law's will, and guardian of my young +brother-in-law, to whom the works will go when he attains his +majority." + +"Ah, so? The son will probably know how to keep the inheritance. It is +really astonishing what the energy of a single man can do in these +days, and it is so much more praiseworthy if he, like the father of our +dear Baroness, has come from humble circles. At least I believe I have +heard so, or am I mistaken?" + +Princess Sophie knew very well that these remarks about the origin of +his father-in-law were unpleasant to the Ambassador, a man of old +Prussian nobility, and it caused her great satisfaction that the +surrounding circle did not lose a word of the conversation, which was +intended principally to humble the lady of burgher descent. + +But she was mistaken if she counted upon the Baroness falling into +embarrassment or evasion. Instead of that she drew herself up in all +her pride. + +"Your Highness is quite correctly informed. My father came to the +Capital a poor boy without means. He had to struggle hard, and worked +for years as a humble laborer, before he laid the foundation to his +later enterprises." + +"How proudly Frau von Wallmoden says that!" cried the Princess, +smiling. "Oh, I love this filial attachment above everything. So Herr +Stahlberg--or perhaps _von_ Stahlberg?--the large manufacturers often +bear a title----" + +"My father did not bear it, Your Highness," replied Adelaide, meeting +the glance of the royal lady calmly and openly. "A title had indeed +been offered him, but he refused it." + +The Ambassador pressed his thin lips together. He could but find the +remark of his wife very undiplomatic. The features of the Princess +assumed an angry expression, and she returned with biting sarcasm: +"Well, then, it is a good thing that this aversion has not descended to +the daughter. His Excellency will know how to value it. I beg your +escort, Egon. I should like to look for my brother." + +She bowed to the circle and glided away on the arm of the Prince, whose +bearing plainly said: + +"Now comes my turn." + +He was not mistaken. Her Highness had no thought of finding the Duke, +but took a seat in the adjoining room with her young relative, whom she +wished to have to herself. + +At first her anger burst forth at the unbearably haughty Frau von +Wallmoden, who boasted of her father's burgher pride, while she had +married a Baron from vanity, for she could not possibly feel any +affection for a man old enough to be her father. Egon was silent as to +that, for he had already put the same question to himself, How had this +unequal match come to take place? without finding an answer to it; but +his silence was now an offence. + +"Well, Egon, have you nothing to say? But you seem to have sworn +allegiance to this lady; you have been constantly at her side." + +"I do homage to beauty wherever I meet it; you know that, most gracious +aunt," expostulated the Prince. But alas! he only called forth another +storm. + +"Yes, alas! I know that. In this respect you are of incomprehensible +heedlessness. Perhaps you do not remember all my admonishings and +warnings before your departure?" + +"Ah, only too well," sighed Egon, who even now felt quite stifled with +the remembrance of the endless lecture which he had had to endure at +that time. + +"Really? But you have not returned any more sensible or sedate. I have +heard things---- Egon, there is only one salvation for you--you must +marry." + +"For heaven's sake, anything but that!" Egon started up so terrified +that Princess Sophie opened her fan indignantly. + +"What do you mean by that?" she asked in cutting tones. + +"Oh, only my un worthiness to enter into that state. Your Highness +yourself have often assured me that I was particularly fitted to make a +wife _unhappy_." + +"If the wife does not succeed in bettering you, of course. I do not +despair yet of that. But this is not the place to speak of such things. +The Duchess is planning a visit to Rodeck, and I intend to accompany +her." + +"What a charming idea!" exclaimed Egon, who was almost as much +terrified by the proposed visit as by the thought of marriage. "I am +really proud that Rodeck, which is usually such a small, tiresome +forest nook, can just now furnish you with some curiosities. I brought +many things from my travels, among them a lion, two young tigers, +several snakes----" + +"But not live ones?" interrupted the horrified lady. + +"Of course, Your Highness." + +"But, mon Dieu! one is not sure of one's life there." + +"Oh, it is not so dangerous, although some of the beasts have broken +away from us already--the people are so careless at feeding time; but +they have always been secured again, and have not done any harm as +yet." + +"As yet? That is a charming prospect, indeed," said the Princess +angrily. "You put the whole neighborhood in danger. The Duke ought to +prohibit you such dangerous playthings." + +"I hope not, for I am just now seriously occupied in attempting to tame +some of them. But besides these I can show you many domestic things +that are worth looking at. There are several girls among my servants +from this vicinity who look charming in their peasant costumes." + +Egon shuddered at the thought of his female servants "with wagging +heads," whom he still employed under Stadinger's careful eye, but he +had speculated correctly. His gracious aunt was indignant and measured +him with an annihilating glance. + +"So? You have such as that at Rodeck!" + +"Certainly. There is Lena in particular, the granddaughter of my +steward, a charming little thing, and when you give me the honor of +your visit, most gracious aunt----" + +"I shall leave it alone," interrupted the incensed lady, using her fan +violently. "It must be a peculiar household which you carry on at +Rodeck with the young foreigner whom you have, perhaps, also brought as +a curiosity from your travels. He has the face of a perfect brigand." + +"My friend Rojanow! He has been pining a long time to be presented to +Your Highness. You permit it, I hope?" + +Without waiting for an answer he hastened away and took possession of +Hartmut. + +"Now it is your turn," he whispered, dragging him along +unceremoniously. "I have been the victim long enough, and my most +precious aunt has to have some one whom she can roast slowly. She +insists upon marrying me off-hand, and you have the face of a perfect +brigand, but, thank God! she does not come to Rodeck. I have taken care +of that!" + +In the next moment he stood before Her Highness, introducing his friend +with his blandest smile. + + + + + CHAPTER XXII. + + +Herr von Wallmoden had lingered in the circle a few moments after the +departure of the Princess; then, with his wife on his arm, he walked +slowly through the suite of rooms, greeting an acquaintance here, +conversing briefly there, until they finally reached the last of the +reception rooms, which was rather deserted. + +The tower room, opening directly from this, was not generally used in +entertainments, but for tonight it had been transformed into a small, +cosy apartment with curtains and carpets and a picturesque group of +plants, and, with its dim lights, offered a pleasing contrast to the +blinding flood of light and the commotion of the other rooms. + +It was quite vacant now, which the Ambassador seemed to have counted +upon when he entered with his wife and offered her a seat upon a divan. + +"I must draw your attention to the fact, Adelaide, that you did an +unwise thing just now," he began in a low tone. "Your remark to the +Princess----" + +"Was self-defense," finished the young wife. "You must have felt, as +well as I did, what the object of the conversation was." + +"Nevertheless, at your first appearance you have made for yourself an +antagonist whose enmity can materially render your own and my position +more difficult." + +"Yours?" Adelaide looked at him in surprise. "Are you, the Ambassador +of a great power, to ask the grace of a malicious woman who happens to +be related to a ducal family?" + +"My child, you do not understand," returned Wallmoden coldly. "An +intriguing woman can be more dangerous than a political opponent, and +Princess Sophie is well known in that line. Even the Duchess is known +to be in fear of her malicious tongue." + +"That is the Duchess' affair. I am not in fear of it." + +"My dear Adelaide," said the Ambassador, with a superior smile, "that +proud turn of your head is very becoming to you, and I approve entirely +of your making yourself unapproachable with it in other circles, but +you will have to leave it off at Court, as well as several other +things. One does not give royalty a lesson before so many observers, +and you did that when you spoke of the refusal of the title. In any +case, it was not necessary for you to lay so much stress upon the +descent of your father." + +"Should I perhaps have denied it?" + +"No, for it is a well-known fact." + +"Of which I am as proud as was my father." + +"But you are not Adelaide Stahlberg any longer, but the Baroness +Wallmoden." The voice of the Ambassador had acquired a certain +sharpness. "And you will admit that it is very contradictory to boast +of your burgher pride when you have given your hand to a man of the old +nobility." + +A slight bitterness quivered around the lips of the young wife, and +although the conversation had been carried on in low tones, her voice +sank even lower as she returned: "Perhaps you have forgotten, Herbert, +why I gave you my hand." + +"Have you had cause to regret it?" he asked instead of replying. + +"No," said Adelaide, drawing a deep breath. + +"I should think you could be satisfied with the position you have at my +side. Besides, you remember that I did not compel you. I left you +perfectly free choice." + +The wife was silent, but the bitter expression did not leave her lips. + +Wallmoden arose and offered his arm. + +"You must permit me, my child, to come to your assistance sometimes in +your inexperience," he said in his usual polite tone. "So far I have +had every reason to be satisfied with your tact and manner. To-day is +the first time I have had to give you a hint. May I ask if you are +ready to return?" + +"I should like to remain here a few moments longer," said Adelaide in a +smothered voice. "It is so insufferably hot in the salons." + +"Just as you desire, but I beg that you will not remain too long, as +your absence would cause remark." + +He saw and felt that she was offended, but found it expedient not to +notice it. Baron Wallmoden, in spite of all his politeness and +attention, understood that in the training of his wife such kinds of +sentiment must not be encouraged. He left the room, and Adelaide +remained alone. She leaned her head upon her hand, and with unseeing +eyes stared at the group of plants near her, whispering almost +inaudibly: "Free choice--O, my God!" + + * * * * * + +In the meantime Prince Adelsberg and his friend were being most +graciously dismissed. They bowed low before the Princess, who arose and +left the salon with an unusually mild expression on her sharp features. + +"Hartmut, I believe you can magnetize," said Egon under his breath. "I +have seen many examples of your irresistibility, but that my most +gracious aunt has a regular attack of affability in your presence is +something never heard of before. It puts all your other victories into +the shade." + +"Well, the reception was cool enough," laughed Hartmut. "Her Highness +really seemed to take me for a brigand at first." + +"But in ten minutes you stood in the full sunshine of her grace, and +have been dismissed a prime favorite. Do tell me what you have in you +that everybody, without exception, bows to your charm. One might well +believe in the old fairy tale of the rat-catcher." + +Again the harsh, repulsive sarcasm which took for a moment every beauty +from his face, passed over Hartmut's lips, giving him a satanic +expression. + +"I understand how to play the thing they like best to hear. It has a +different sound to every one, but if one knows how to strike the right +chord, none can resist it." + +"None?" repeated Egon, while his glance passed searchingly through the +room. + +"Not one, I tell you." + +"Yes, you are a pessimist in this respect. I at least recognize some +exceptions. If I only knew where Frau von Wallmoden was. I cannot see +her anywhere." + +"His Excellency is probably reading her a lecture upon the undiplomatic +remark of a short time since." + +"Did you also hear it?" asked Egon quickly. + +"Yes; I stood in the door." + +"Well, I do not in the least begrudge our most gracious one the lesson. +Naturally she was beside herself about it, but do you really believe +that the Ambassador---- Hush! there he is himself." + +It was, indeed, the Ambassador before them, just returning from the +tower room. An encounter now could not be avoided, and the young +Prince, who had no idea of the existing connection, hastened to +introduce his friend. + +"Allow me, Your Excellency, to make good a neglect which was forced +upon me that day upon the Hochberg by the disappearance of my friend. I +only found him after your departure. Herr Hartmut Rojanow, Baron von +Wallmoden." + +The eyes of the two men met. The sharp, penetrating eyes of the one met +the expression of challenging defiance in the other, but Wallmoden +would not have been the finished diplomat he was if he were not equal +to the present moment. + +His greeting was cool but polite, only he turned to the Prince alone +with his answer, regretting not being able to chat with the gentlemen, +since he was called to the Duke. + +The whole meeting had lasted but two minutes, but it had taken place. + +"His Excellency is more taciturn to-day than usual," remarked Egon, +walking on. "Whenever I see this cold, diplomatic face before me I have +a chill, and feel a pressing desire to seek warmer zones." + +"Therefore we follow so persistently the track of the beautiful, cold +aurora," said Hartmut, teasingly. "Whom do we really seek in this walk +through the rooms which you continue so untiringly?" + +"The Chief Forester," said the Prince, vexed at seeing himself +betrayed. "I wish to make you acquainted with him, but you are in one +of your railing moods to-day. Perhaps I may find Schonan over yonder in +the armory. I shall look there." + +He took a speedy departure, and actually turned his steps to the +armory, where the ducal couple was at present, and where he also +believed Adelaide von Wallmoden to be. But, unfortunately, at the +entrance he again crossed the path of his most gracious aunt, who took +possession of him. She wished for more particulars of the interesting +young Roumanian who stood, indeed, in the sunlight of her favor, and +her impatient nephew had to answer all her questions willingly or +otherwise. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII. + + +The fête progressed; the assembly glided to and fro as Hartmut walked +slowly and apparently purposelessly through the long suite of reception +rooms. He, too, looked for some one, and was more successful than Egon. +A hasty glance into the tower room, the entrance of which was partly +concealed by heavy portières, showed him the hem of a white train which +floated over the floor, and the next moment he had crossed the +threshold. + +Adelaide von Wallmoden was still sitting in the same position, and +slowly turned her head toward the intruder. Suddenly she started, but +only for an instant, then with her habitual composure she returned the +deep bow of the young man who remained standing at the door. + +"I hope I have not disturbed Your Excellency," he said. "I fear you +came here for solitude into which I have broken suddenly, but it +happens quite unintentionally." + +"I only took refuge here from the smothering heat of the salons." + +"The same cause brought me here, and since I did not have the honor +to-day to greet you, permit me to do so now." + +The words sounded very formal. Rojanow had drawn nearer, but remained +standing at a respectable distance. Nevertheless, the start at his +entrance had not been passed by unobserved by him. A peculiar smile +hovered around his lips as he directed his eyes upon the young +Baroness. + +She had made a gesture as if to rise and leave the room, but seemed to +remember in time that so sudden a move would look like flight. She +remained seated and leaned over the plants. Absently she picked one of +the large crimson japonicas as she replied to the question about her +health, but that line of severe will-power appeared again, sharply and +distinctly, just as in that moment when she stood in the middle of the +brook. That day she had stepped without hesitation into ankle-deep +water rather than accept the help which was offered her; but that had +occurred in the forest loneliness. No such obstacle had to be overcome +here in the ducal castle, filled with the pomp of a fête; but the man +with the dark, consuming glance was here, and he did not remove his +eyes from her face. + +"Shall you remain at Rodeck any length of time?" asked Adelaide in the +indifferent tone with which remarks are exchanged in society. + +"Probably a few weeks longer. Prince Adelsberg will hardly leave his +castle as long as the Duke is at Furstenstein. I intend to accompany +him to the Residenz later on." + +"And we shall then learn to know you as a poet?" + +"Me, Your Excellency?" + +"I learned so from the Prince." + +"Oh, that is only Egon's idea," said Hartmut, lightly. "He has settled +it in his mind that he must see my Arivana upon the stage." + +"Arivana! A strange title." + +"It is an Oriental name for an Indian legend, whose poetical charm had +prepossessed me so strangely that I could not resist the temptation to +form it into a drama." + +"And the heroine of the drama is Arivana?" + +"No; that is only the name of an ancient, sacred spot, around which +this legend clings. The name of the heroine is--Ada." + +Rojanow uttered the name softly, hesitatingly; but his eyes flamed up +triumphantly, as he saw again the same slight quiver he had seen at his +entrance. Slowly he approached a few steps, continuing: "I heard the +name for the first time upon India's soil, and it had a sweet foreign +sound for me, which I retained for my heroine, and now I learn here +that the abbreviation of a German name is just like it." + +"Of the name Adelaide--yes. I was always called so at home; but it is +nothing peculiar that the same sounds return in different languages." + +The words sounded repellent, but the young wife did not lift her eyes; +she gazed fixedly upon the flower with which her fingers toyed. + +"Certainly not," assented Hartmut; "I only noticed it. It was no +surprise, since all legends are repeated in all nations. They have a +greater or less difference in appearance, but that which lives in +them--the passion, the happiness and joy of the people--that is the +same everywhere." + +Adelaide shrugged her shoulders. + +"I cannot argue about that with a poet, but I do believe that our +German legends possess other features than the Indian dreams of myths." + +"Perhaps so, but if you look deeper you will find these features +familiar. This Arivana myth, at least, has similar lines. The hero, a +young priest who has consecrated body and soul to his deity--the +sacred, burning fire--is overwhelmed by earthly love, with all its +fervor and passion, until his priestly vow perishes in its intensity." + +He stood quietly and respectfully before her, but his voice had a +strangely suppressed sound, as if, hidden behind this narrative, there +was another and secret meaning. + +Suddenly the Baroness raised her eyes and directed them fully and +seriously upon the face of the speaker. "And--the end?" + +"The end is death, as in most mystic legends. The breaking of the vow +is discovered, and the guilty ones are sacrificed to the offended +deity; the priest dies in the flames with the woman he loves." + +A short pause followed. Adelaide arose with a rapid movement. She +apparently wished to break off the conversation. + +"You are right; this legend has something familiar, if it were only the +old doctrine of guilt and atonement." + +"Do you call that guilt, gracious lady?" Hartmut suddenly dropped the +formal title. "Well, yes, by man it is called guilt, and they too +punish it with death, without thinking that such punishment can be +ecstasy. To perish in the flames after having tasted of the highest +earthly happiness, and to embrace this happiness even in death--that is +a glorious, divine death, worthy a long life of dull monotony. The +eternal, undying right of love glows there like signs of flame in the +sky, in spite of all laws of mankind. Do you not think such an end +enviable?" + +A slight paleness covered the face of the Baroness, but her voice was +firm as she answered: + +"No; enviable only is death for an exalted, holy duty--the sacrifice of +a pure life. One can forgive sin, but one does not admire it." + +Hartmut bit his lips, and a threatening glance rested on the white +figure which stood so solemn and unapproachable before him. Then he +smiled. + +"A hard judgment, which strikes my work also, for I have put my whole +power into the glorification of this love and death. If the world judge +like you---- Ah, permit me, gracious lady." + +He quickly approached the divan where she had been sitting, where, with +her fan, the japonica also had been left. + +"Thank you," said Adelaide, stretching out her hand; but he gave her +only the fan. + +"Your pardon. While I was composing my Arivana on the veranda of a +small house in India, this flower bloomed and glowed from its dark +green foliage everywhere, and now it greets me here in the cold North. +May I keep this flower?" + +Adelaide made a half reluctant gesture. + +"No, why should you?" + +"Why should I? For a remembrance of the severe opinion from the lips of +a lady who bears the lovely name of my mystic heroine. You see, +gracious lady, that the white japonica blooms here also, delicate, +snowy flower; but unconsciously you broke the glowing red one, and +poets are superstitious. Leave me the flower as a token that my work, +in spite of all, may find favor in your eyes after you learn to know +it. You have no idea how much it means to me." + +"Herr Rojanow--I----" She was about to utter a refusal, but he +interrupted her, and continued in low, but passionate, tones: + +"What is a single flower to you, broken carelessly, and which you will +allow to fade as carelessly? But to me leave me this token, gracious +lady; I--I beg for it." + +He stood close beside her. The charm which he, as a boy, had +unconsciously exerted when he made people "defenseless" with his +coaxing, he, as a man, recognized as a power which never failed, and +which he knew how to use. His voice bore again that soft, suppressed +tone which charmed the ear like music; and his eyes--those dark, +mysterious eyes--were fixed upon the girl before him with a half +gloomy, half beseeching expression. + +The paleness of her face had deepened, but she did not answer. + +"I beg of you," he repeated, more lowly, more beseechingly, as he +pressed the glowing flower to his lips; but the very gesture broke the +spell. Adelaide suddenly drew herself up. + +"I must ask you, Herr Rojanow, to return the flower to me. I intended +it for my husband." + +"Ah, so? I beg your pardon, Your Excellency." + +He handed her the flower with a deep bow, which she accepted with a +barely noticeable inclination of the head. Then the heavy white train +glided past him, and he was alone. + +In vain! Everything glided off this icy nature. + +Hartmut stamped his foot angrily. Only ten minutes ago he had passed +such harsh judgment on all women, without an exception, to the Prince. +Now he had sung again that charming tune which he had tried so often +successfully, and had found one who resisted it. But the proud, spoiled +man would not believe that he could lose the game which he had won so +often, when just here he was so anxious to win it. + +And would it really remain only a game? He had not as yet accounted to +himself for it, but he felt that the passion which drew him to the +beautiful woman was mingled at times with hatred. + +They were conflicting emotions which had been deeply stirred when he +walked by her side through the forest--half admiring, half repellent. +But it was just that which made the chase so interesting to the +practised huntsman. + +Love! The high, pure meaning of the word had remained foreign to the +son of Zalika. When he learned to feel, he was living at his mother's +side, she who had made such shameful play of her husband's love; and +the women with whom she associated were no better. The later life which +she led with her son, unsettled and adventurous, with no firm ground +under their feet, had finally crushed out the last remnant of idealism +in the young man. He learned to despise before he learned to love, and +now he felt the merited humiliation given him to be an insult. + +"Struggle on," he muttered; "you battle against yourself. I have seen +and felt it; and the one who does that, does not conquer in such a +struggle." + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV. + + +A slight noise at the entrance caused Hartmut to look up. It was the +Ambassador who appeared on the threshold, casting a searching glance +into the room. He came for his wife, whom he thought still there. + +He started at sight of Hartmut, and for a moment seemed undecided. Then +he said, half audibly: "Herr Rojanow." + +"Your Excellency." + +"I should like to speak to you privately." + +"I am at your service." + +Wallmoden entered, but took up his position so as to keep the entrance +in view. It was hardly necessary, for the doors of the dining room had +just been thrown open, and the whole assembly floated there. The salon +adjoining the tower room was already empty. + +"I am surprised to see you here," the Ambassador began in suppressed +tones, but with the same insulting coldness which he had shown at the +first meeting, and which brought the blood to the young man's brow. He +drew himself up threateningly. + +"Why, Your Excellency?" + +"The question is superfluous. At any rate, I request you not to again +force me into the position I was brought into a short while ago, when +Prince Adelsberg introduced you to me." + +"The forced position was mine," returned Hartmut, just as sharply. "I +will not assert that you consider me an intruder here, for you, best of +all, know that I have a right to this intercourse." + +"_Hartmut von Falkenried_ would have had a right, of course; but that +has changed." + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"Not so loud, if you please," interrupted the Ambassador. "We might be +overheard, and it would surely not be desirable to you that the name I +just now uttered should be heard by outsiders." + +"It is true that at present I carry my mother's name, to which I surely +have a right. If I laid aside the other, it happened out of +consideration----" + +"For your father," finished Wallmoden, with heavy emphasis. + +Hartmut started. This was an allusion which he could not bear yet. + +"Yes," he replied, curtly. "I confess that it would be painful to me if +I were forced to break this consideration." + +"And why? Your rôle here would be played out, anyway." + +Rojanow stepped close to the Ambassador with a passionate gesture. + +"You are the friend of my father, Herr von Wallmoden, and I have called +you uncle in my boyhood; but you forget that I am no longer the boy +whom you could lecture and master at that time. The grown man looks at +it as an insult." + +"I intend neither to offend you nor to renew old connections, which +neither of us consider as existing," said Wallmoden, coldly. "If I +desired this conversation, it was to declare to you that it will not be +possible to me, in my official position, to see you in intercourse with +the Court, and be silent when it would be my duty to enlighten the +Duke." + +"Enlighten the Duke! About what?" + +"About several things which are not known here and which have probably +remained unknown to Prince Adelsberg. Please do not fly into a passion, +Herr Rojanow. I would do this only in an extreme case, for I have to +spare a friend. I know how a certain incident hurt him ten years ago, +which is now forgotten and buried in our country, and, if all this +should come up again and be brought into publicity, Colonel Falkenried +would die of it." + +Hartmut blanched. The defiant reply did not cross his lips. "He would +die of it." The awful word, the truth of which he felt only too well, +forced aside for the moment even the insult of the remark. + +"I owe my father alone an account of that occasion," he replied in a +painfully suppressed voice; "only him and nobody else." + +"He will hardly ask for it. His son is dead to him; but let that rest. +I speak especially now of later years; of your stay at Rome and Paris, +where you lived with your mother in lavish style, although the estates +in Roumania had had to be sacrificed at a forced sale." + +"You seem to be all-knowing, Your Excellency!" hissed Rojanow in great +anger. "We had no idea that we were under such conscientious +surveillance. We lived upon the balance of our fortune which had been +rescued from the wreck." + +"Nothing was rescued; the money was entirely lost--to the last penny." + +"That is not true," interrupted Hartmut, stormily. + +"It is true. Am I really better informed about it than you?" The voice +of the Ambassador sounded cuttingly sharp. "It is possible that Frau +Rojanow did not want her son informed of the source from which she +derived her means, and left him in error about it intentionally. I know +the circumstances. If they have remained unknown to you--so much the +better for you." + +"Take care not to insult my mother," the young man burst forth; "or I +shall forget that your hair is gray, and demand satisfaction." + +"For what? For a statement for which I can produce the proofs? Lay +aside such foolishness, of which I shall take no notice. She was your +mother, and is dead now; therefore we will go no deeper into this +point. I should only like to put this question to you: Do you intend, +even after this conversation, to remain here and appear in the circle +into which Prince Adelsberg has introduced you?" + +Hartmut had turned deathly pale at the hint of the muddy origin of his +mother's means, and the numb terror with which he looked at the speaker +betrayed that he indeed knew nothing about it. But at this last +question he regained his composure. + +His flashing eyes met those of his opponent, and a wild decision +sounded in his voice as he replied: "Yes, Herr von Wallmoden, I +remain." + +The Ambassador did not seem to have expected this defiance; he probably +thought to have accomplished the matter more easily, but he retained +his composure. + +"Really? Well, you are accustomed to playing a high hand, and you seem +to wish here also--but hush! Some one is coming. Reconsider the matter, +perhaps you will change your mind." + +He quickly entered the adjoining room, in which the Chief Forester now +appeared. + +"Where have you hidden yourself, Herbert?" he asked, when he beheld the +Ambassador. "I have looked everywhere for you." + +"I wished to find my wife." + +"She is already in the dining room, like everybody else, and where you +are being missed. Come, it is high time that we get something to eat." + +Herr von Schonan took possession of his brother-in-law in his ever +jovial manner and went off with him. + +Hartmut stood still in his place. He struggled for breath; the +excitement threatened to choke him. Shame, hatred, anger, all floated +wildly through his heart. That hint of Wallmoden's had hurt him +terribly, although he but half understood it. It tore asunder the veil +with which he had half unconsciously, half intentionally shrouded the +truth. He had, indeed, believed that a remnant of their wealth, rescued +from the wreck, had given him and his mother their income. But it was +not the first time that he had shut his eyes to what he did not wish to +see. + +He had enjoyed life in deep draughts without calling himself to account +for it when the hand of his mother had so suddenly torn him from the +enforced paternal education into unlimited freedom; when he exchanged +the routine of the strictest duties for a life full of intoxicating +enjoyments. He had then been too young to judge, and later on--it was +then too late; habit and example had woven too unyielding a net around +him. Now, for the first time, it was being shown him clearly and +unmistakably what the life was that he had led so long--the life of an +adventurer; and as an adventurer he had been pointed out the exit from +society. + +But hotter than the shame of that burned the affront which had been +given him, and hatred for the man who had forced this indisputable +truth upon him. The unfortunate inheritance from his mother, the hot, +wild blood which had once been fatal to the boy, welled up like a +stream of fire, and every other thought went down in a sensation, wild +and limitless, of thirst for revenge. + +His handsome features were distorted beyond recognition when he finally +left the room, with tightly closed teeth. He knew and felt but one +thing--that he must have revenge--revenge at any price! + + + + + CHAPTER XXV. + + +It was very late when the fête came to an end. After the withdrawal of +the ducal couple, a general move for departure took place. Carriage +after carriage rolled down the Schlossberg; the bright lights were +extinguished, and Furstenstein began to shroud itself in darkness and +silence. + +In the apartments devoted to the Ambassador and his wife, however, the +lights still burned. + +Adelaide stood at the window in her rich robe of the fête and looked +out into the night like one lost in thought, but it was with a +peculiar, weary gesture that she leaned her head against the window +panes. + +Wallmoden sat at the writing table, glancing through some letters and +dispatches which had arrived in the last hour. They seemed to contain +important news, for he did not lay them aside with other papers to +receive attention to-morrow morning, but grasped a pen and hastily +wrote a few lines, then arose and quickly approached his wife. + +"This comes unexpectedly," he said. "I shall have to go to Berlin." + +Adelaide turned in surprise. "So suddenly?" + +"Yes; I thought to accomplish this very serious affair by letter, but +the Minister expressly desires a personal interview. Therefore I shall +take leave of the Duke to-morrow morning for a period of about a week, +and depart immediately." + +The young bride's features could not be distinguished in the +semi-darkness, but her breast heaved with a deep sigh, which betrayed a +perhaps unconscious relief. + +"At what hour do we leave?" she asked quickly; "I should like to notify +my maid." + +"We? This is entirely a business trip, and, naturally, I go alone." + +"But I could accompany you." + +"What for? You understand that it means an absence of only a week or +two." + +"No matter. I--I should like to see Berlin again." + +"What a whim!" said Wallmoden, shrugging his shoulders. "I shall be so +occupied this time that I could not accompany you anywhere." + +The young wife had approached the table and now stood in the full light +of the lamp. She was much paler than usual, and her voice had a +suppressed sound as she returned: "Well, then, I shall go home. I +should really not like to remain here alone at Furstenstein without +you." + +"Alone?" The Ambassador looked at her in astonishment. "You will be +with our relatives, whose guests we are. How long have you been so +desirous of protection? It is a thing I have not observed in you so +far. I do not understand you, Adelaide. What is this strange caprice of +wishing to accompany me at all hazards?" + +"Accept it as a caprice, then, but let me go with you, Herbert; I beg +of you." + +She laid her hand entreatingly upon his arm, and her eyes were directed +with almost an expression of fear upon her husband's face, whose thin +lips parted in a sarcastic smile. It was that superior smile, which +could be so insulting at times. + +"Ah, so? Now I understand. That scene with the Princess has been +disagreeable to you. You fear renewed annoyances, which will probably +not fail to come. You must lose this sensitiveness, my child. On the +contrary, you ought to be aware of the fact that this encounter alone +puts you to the necessity of remaining here. Every word, every look is +interpreted at Court, and a sudden departure on your part would give +rise to all sorts of speculations. You have to hold your own now, if +you do not wish to make your connections with the Court forever +difficult." + +The young wife's hand slipped slowly from his arm, and her look sank to +the floor at this cool rejoinder to her almost beseeching entreaty--the +first she had uttered in her short marriage. + +"Hold my own," she repeated, in a low voice. "I do that, but I hoped +you would remain at my side." + +"That is not possible just now, as you see; besides, you understand in +a masterly manner how to defend yourself. You have shown that to me as +well as to the whole Court to-day, but I am sure the hint I gave you +will be considered, and that you will be more cautious with your +answers in the future. At any rate, you will remain at Furstenstein +until I return for you." + +Adelaide was silent. She saw that nothing was to be gained here. + +Wallmoden stepped back to the writing table and looked at the document +just received; then he grasped the sheet on which he had written the +answer and folded it. + +"One thing more, Adelaide," he said, carelessly; "the young Prince +Adelsberg was constantly at your side to-night. He pays homage to you +in rather a conspicuous manner." + +"Do you wish me to decline these attentions?" she asked, indifferently. + +"No; I only ask you to draw the necessary limit, so that no idle talk +may ensue. I do not intend to cut short your social victories. We do +not live in burgher circumstances, and it would be ridiculous in my +position to play the jealous husband who views every attention paid his +wife with suspicion. I leave this entirely to your own tact, in which I +have unlimited confidence." + +All of this sounded so tranquil, so sensible, so boundlessly +indifferent, Herr von Wallmoden might, indeed, be exonerated from any +thought of jealousy. The openly offered admiration of the young, +charming Prince caused him no anxiety; he quietly left his wife to her +"tact." + +"I shall attend to this dispatch myself," he continued; "as we have a +telegraph station in the castle since the Duke's arrival. You should +ring for your mail, my child; you look somewhat fatigued and probably +feel so. Good night." + +He left the room, but Adelaide did not follow the advice. She had drawn +near the window again, and a half bitter, half pained expression +trembled on her lips. She had never felt so painfully as at this moment +that she was nothing more to her husband than a shining jewel which one +exhibits, a wife whom one treats with perfect politeness and attention +because she brought in her hand a princely fortune, and to whom a +request could be denied with equal politeness; a request which might +have been so easily granted. + +Night rested over the forest; the sky was cloudy and dark, with here +and there a solitary star glimmering through the flying clouds. A pale +face looked up to the gloomy sky; not with the cold, proud composure +the world was accustomed to see, but with an expression of beseeching +entreaty. + +The young wife pressed both hands to her bosom, as if the pain and +unrest were there. She had wished to flee from the dark power +whose approach she had felt, and which was drawing the circles nearer +and closer around her. She had wished to flee to her husband's +protection. In vain! He would go away and leave her alone, and another +remained--another, who, with dark, glowing eyes and thrilling voice, +wielded such a mysterious, irresistible power. "Ada," the name with its +sweet, foreign sound, floated near her like a spirit's breath. It was +her name which the legend of the Arivana bore! + + + + + CHAPTER XXVI. + + +October had come, and autumn began to show its reign in a marked +manner. The foliage of the trees bore gay tints; the country was +wrapped, morning and night, in mist. The nights sometimes brought +frost, while the days were unusually fine and sunny. + +With the exception of that large fête which had collected the whole +community, and the hunts, which were naturally prominent at this time +of the year, no particular festivities took place. + +The Duke, as well as his wife, loved to entertain small circles, and +did not wish to disturb the quiet and freedom of their autumn visit +with brilliant entertainments. On that account excursions were more +often taken. The forest hills were being explored on horseback and in +carriages, and the ducal table daily held a large number of guests. +Adelaide von Wallmoden belonged to this small circle. The Duchess, who +had learned in what manner her sister-in-law tried to make the position +of the young Baroness more difficult, counterbalanced it with greater +affability, drawing Adelaide into her presence at every opportunity; +and the Duke, who wished to distinguish the Ambassador and his wife, +was well satisfied with it. + +Wallmoden was still in Berlin. The two weeks he had appointed for his +trip had passed away, and yet nothing was said of his return. + +One of the most frequent visitors at Furstenstein was Egon von +Adelsberg, the pronounced favorite of his princely relatives; and his +friend, Rojanow, was always honored with an invitation. The young +Prince had prophesied correctly. Hartmut was like a shining meteor, +whom all eyes followed with admiration, and of whom it was not expected +that he should follow in the old beaten track of Court life. + +He had read his Arivana to them at the request of the Duchess, and with +it had gained a perfect triumph. The Duke had immediately promised him +a performance of the drama in the Court Theatre, and Princess Sophie +turned her special favor upon the young poet. + +The surrounding Court circle, of course, followed the example of the +princely people in this case only too gladly, for the charm he +exercised was universal. + +The hunting carriage of Prince Adelsberg stood before the castle of +Rodeck. It was still early, and the misty October morning seemed to +promise a clear, beautiful day. Egon had just appeared upon the terrace +in full hunting costume and was speaking with the castle steward, who +followed him. + +"And so you wish to look at the hunt also?" he asked. "Of course, Peter +Stadinger has to be wherever anything is to be seen. My valet has also +asked leave of absence, and I believe the whole population of the Wald +will turn out to-day to be at the hunting grounds." + +"Yes, Your Highness, such things are not often to be seen," said +Stadinger. "The great Court and gala hunts have become rare in our +Wald. Hunting goes on everywhere, but then the gentlemen are mostly by +themselves, like here at Rodeck, and if the ladies are not there----" + +"Then it is unbearably tiresome," completed the Prince. "Quite my +opinion; but you are otherwise prejudiced against womankind, and cry +out if any one who has not reached a good old age comes within the +borders of Rodeck. Have you changed your opinion in your old days?" + +"I meant the high princely ladies, Your Highness," declared the old +servant, with particular emphasis. + +"The high princely ladies could only honor me with a visit upon the +occasion of a drive. I cannot invite them, as I am a bachelor." + +"And why is Your Highness still a bachelor?" asked Stadinger in +reproachful tones. + +"Man, I believe you also have matrimonial plans for me as well as the +world has," laughed Egon. "Spare your pains; I shall not marry." + +"That is not right, Your Highness," persisted Stadinger, who gave his +master his title at least once in every sentence because it was +"respectable" so to do, while at the same time he took the liberty of +lecturing him upon every occasion; "and it is also unchristianlike, for +matrimony is a holy state, in which one feels well off. Your sainted +father was married--and so was I." + +"Oh, of course, you too. You are even grandfather of a most charming +granddaughter, whom you have most cruelly sent off. When does she come +back, anyhow?" + +The steward thought best to lose the last question, but he remained +obstinately at his subject. + +"Your Highness, the Duchess and the Princess Sophie are of the same +opinion. Your Highness should consider the subject seriously." + +"Well, since you exhort so paternally, I will consider it. But, +concerning the Princess Sophie, she intends to drive to Bucheneck, +which is the meeting place of to-day's hunt; it may be possible she +will notice you there and may speak to you." + +"Very probable, Your Highness," confirmed the old man, complacently. +"Her Highness always honors me by speaking to me, because she knows me +as the oldest servant of the ducal house." + +"Very well. If the Princess should ask casually after the snakes and +animals which I have brought back from my travels, you say that they +have already been sent to one of my other castles." + +"It is not necessary at all, Your Highness," Stadinger assured him, +benevolently; "the most illustrious aunt already knows all about it." + +"Knows all about what? Have you told her anything?" + +"At your service. The day before yesterday, when I was at Furstenstein, +Her Highness had just returned from a drive and graciously beckoned me +to approach and asked me--Her Highness likes to do that----" + +"Yes, Heaven knows!" groaned the young Prince, who already scented +mischief. "And what did you answer?" + +"'Your Highness may rest easy,' I said; 'we have only monkeys and +parrots of the live animals in the castle. Serpents have never been +there. A large sea serpent, though, was to have arrived, but he died on +the voyage, and the elephants tore themselves lose at the embarking and +ran back to the palm forests--at least, so His Highness says. To be +sure, we have two tigers, but they are stuffed; and of the lions, there +is only the skin, which lies in the armory. Therefore Your Highness may +see that the beasts cannot break loose and do harm.'" + +"Oh, but you have fixed things now with your chattering!" cried Egon, +exasperated. "And the Princess, what did she say?" + +"Her Highness only smiled and inquired what kind of female servants we +had at Rodeck, and if the girls of this vicinity were among them; but I +said then"--here Stadinger drew himself up consciously--"'The servants +in service at the castle I have hired. They are all industrious and +reliable; I have looked out for that. But His Highness runs when he +puts eyes on them, and Herr Rojanow runs still more; and the gentlemen +have never gone back into the kitchen since the first time they went +there.' After that Her Highness was most gracious and condescended to +praise me and dismissed me in the very highest satisfaction." + +"And I should like to run you to perdition in the very highest +dissatisfaction," the Prince burst forth, wrathfully. "You unlucky old +Waldgeist, what _have_ you been doing again?" + +The old man, who apparently thought that he had done his part extremely +well, looked at his master in perplexity. + +"But I have only said the truth, Your Highness." + +"There are cases where one must not say the truth." + +"So? I did not know that till now." + +"Stadinger, you have quite an abominable way of answering. Have you +told the Princess also that Lena has been in town for the past four +weeks?" + +"At your service, Your Highness." + +"What is the matter with Stadinger again?" inquired Hartmut, who +emerged from the castle, also dressed for the hunt, and who had heard +the last of the conversation. + +"He has committed a first-class foolishness," grumbled Egon, but he was +met with bad success by the "oldest servant of the ducal house," who +drew himself up, deeply offended. + +"With your permission, Your Highness, I have not committed the +foolishness." + +"Do you mean perhaps that I have done it?" + +Stadinger looked at his master keenly from the corner of his eye, after +which he said deliberately: "That I do not know, Your Highness; but it +may be so." + +"You are a churl!" cried the Prince, hotly. + +"Known for that through all the Wald, Your Highness." + +"Come, Hartmut; nothing can be done with the old, grumbling bear +to-day," said Egon, half laughing, half vexed. "At first he gets me +into scrapes, and then he lectures me on top of it. May graciousness +help you, Stadinger, if you give any more such reports!" + +With which he entered the carriage with Rojanow. Stadinger remained +standing in military position and saluted as was demanded by his idea +of the respectful, for respect was the main thing, although he did not +in the least think of giving in by so doing. His Highness, Prince Egon, +had to do that; he could not come up with his Peter Stadinger. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVII. + + +Egon was evidently of the same opinion as he narrated the proceeding to +his friend, and concluded with comic despair: "Now you can imagine what +a reception will be mine from the most illustrious aunt. She has +guessed that I wished to keep her away from Rodeck. My morals are +rescued in her eyes, but at the expense of my veracity. Hartmut, do me +the favor of showering your sweetest affability upon my revered aunt. +If necessary, compose a poem for her as a lightning rod; otherwise the +flash of her most high anger will annihilate me." + +"Well, I should think you were weather-proof in this respect," quoth +Hartmut. "You have had to have forgiveness for many similar escapades. +The Duchess and the younger ladies will be at the chase on horseback, +will they not?" + +"Yes, they could not see much from a carriage. Do you know that Frau +von Wallmoden sits her horse perfectly. I met her the day before +yesterday as she returned from a ride with her brother-in-law, the +Chief Forester." + +"Ah, so? Well, one knows, then, where Prince Adelsberg will be to-day +exclusively." + +Egon, who had been reclining comfortably, straightened himself and +looked at his friend inquiringly. + +"Not so much sarcasm, if you please. Although you are not to be found +so frequently in the presence of the afore-mentioned lady, and even +pretend a certain coldness toward her, I know you too well not to see +that we are only too much of the same opinion." + +"And if it were so, would you consider it a break in our friendship?" + +"Not in this case, where the object is unobtainable to both." + +"Unobtainable!" That unpleasant smile again passed over his lips. + +"Yes, Hartmut," said the Prince, seriously, "the beautiful, cold +Aurora, as you have christened her, remains true to her nature. She +stands far removed and unapproachable on the horizon, and the ice sea +from which she rises is not to be penetrated. The lady has no heart; +she is incapable of a passionate feeling, and this gives her this +enviable security. Come, confess that here your power is wrecked. The +icy breath has chilled you, and therefore you flee from it." + +Hartmut was silent. He thought of those moments in the tower room, when +he asked for the brilliant flower. It had been refused him, but it had +not been an icy breath which came from the Baroness when she had +trembled under the gaze of the beseecher. + +He had since seen her almost daily, but had rarely approached her, +although he knew that he held her under his spell now as before. + +"Nevertheless, I cannot get free from this foolish infatuation," +continued Egon, with a half dreamy expression. "It seems to me that +life and warmth could grow up in that nature, and change the snow +region into a blooming world. If Adelaide von Wallmoden were still +free, I believe I should make the attempt." + +Rojanow, who had been gazing into the misty forest, lost in thought, +turned quickly and sharply: + +"What attempt? Does that perhaps mean that you would offer her your +hand?" + +"You seem really horror-stricken at the idea." The Prince laughed +aloud. "I meant that, indeed. I have no prejudice against the +manufacturing world, like my most gracious aunt, whom such a +possibility would indeed throw into convulsions. Strange to say, you +seem to think so, too. Well, both of you may rest easy. His Excellency, +the husband, has seized the prize; but he truly does not make a life of +roses for her with his tiresome diplomatic face. Ah! but the man has +had enviable good luck." + +"Call no man happy before his death," muttered Hartmut under his +breath. + +"A very wise remark, and one not quite new to me. But you sometimes +have something in your eyes which frightens me. Do not be offended, +Hartmut; but you look like a demon at this moment." + +Rojanow made no answer. + +The road now left the forest, and yonder Furstenstein rose into view, +where the ducal colors floated in the morning breeze. Half an hour +later the carriage rolled into the castle court, where an animated +scene reigned. + +The entire force of servants was at hand; saddle horses and carriages +were ready, and the greater number of invited guests had already +arrived. + +The start took place at the appointed hour, and the bright light of the +sun, breaking through the mist, shone resplendent on the imposing +cavalcade as it moved down the Schlossberg. + +The Duke and Duchess led the party; then followed the numerous suite +and the whole assembly of guests, and the grooms in full livery who +were permitted to go. + +Out through the sunny autumn morning into the forests and heights of +the hunting preserves, where it soon became lively. Firing resounded on +all sides; the flying game broke through the thickets or sped across +the openings, now alone and now in droves, only to be reached finally +by a ball; and the usually quiet forest gave back the echo of the +chase. + +The Chief Forester had ordered out the entire forester staff of the +Wald, and had made all arrangements so excellently that it brought him +great honor to lead the chase, which was not marred by any accident. + +Toward noon a rendezvous was held at Bucheneck, a small ducal forest +lodge situated in the midst of the Wald, and which could afford shelter +in case of unfavorable weather. This was not necessary to-day, for the +weather had turned out to be fine, only a little too warm for an +October day. The sun burned so hotly as to render it unpleasant at +luncheon, which was partaken of out of doors; but otherwise all passed +off happily and unceremoniously, and a gay scene developed upon the +large green meadow, at the border of which Bucheneck was situated. + +The entire hunting cortege was assembled here. The Duke, who had been +especially fortunate in the chase to-day, was in the very best of +spirits. The Duchess chatted with animation to her surrounding ladies, +and the Chief Forester beamed with pleasure, for the Duke had expressed +his satisfaction in the most flattering manner. + +Frau von Wallmoden, who was near the Duchess, was the subject of +general admiration to-day. She was, without doubt, the most beautiful +of all the assembled ladies, nearly all of whom needed rich dressing +and candle-light to bring out their beauty. Here, in the bright, midday +sun, in plain, dark riding habits, which permitted no colors or jewels, +many an otherwise admired appearance faded. The young Baroness alone +remained victorious in this simplicity. Her tall, slender figure looked +as if formed for her habit, while the transparent clearness and +freshness of her skin, and the shining blondness of her hair were even +more to be admired in daylight than at the night fête. Besides, she had +really proved herself an able horsewoman, who sat in the saddle with as +much ease as security; in short, the "beautiful Aurora," as Frau von +Wallmoden was now called in the court circle since Prince Adelsberg had +given her that name, was admired on all sides, and received the more +attention as it was known that she was to disappear for several weeks. + +The Ambassador had notified his wife yesterday that his diplomatic work +was now finished, but that he would utilize his presence in North +Germany in looking after the Stahlberg works. + +Important changes had been planned there, and new improvements spoken +of, for which a final decision had to be made, and Wallmoden, as +executor and guardian of the heir, had the deciding voice in it. His +presence at the conference was indispensable; he had asked leave of +absence from his office, and had notified the Duke of a return later. + +At the same time he left it to his wife to decide whether she would +remain at Furstenstein or take the trip to her old home with him, if +she wished to see her brother. Now, after fully two weeks, no one could +misconstrue her departure. The young wife had immediately chosen to go +with her husband, and had notified the Duchess that she should leave on +the morrow. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVIII. + + +Princess Sophie had arrived at Bucheneck with her lady of honor and the +elder ladies in carriages, and now attempted, above everything, to lay +hands on her illustrious nephew; but he developed an incredible aptness +at keeping out of her reach. He was everywhere except in the near +presence of his most gracious aunt, until finally she lost patience and +ordered a gentleman to call Prince Adelsberg into her presence. + +Egon had to obey this command, but he used the precaution of taking the +"lightning rod" with him. Rojanow was at his side when he stood before +the Princess. + +"Well, Egon, do I really get a glimpse of you?" was the not very +gracious reception. "You seem to have been taken possession of on all +sides to-day." + +"I am always ready for the service of my most gracious aunt," declared +Egon in honeyed accents; but the sweetness did him no good. The +Princess measured him with an annihilating glance. + +"As far as your knightly service to Frau von Wallmoden leaves you time. +She will give this chivalry a glowing mention to her husband. You may +know him, perhaps?" + +"Certainly. I revere him highly as a man, as a diplomat and as His +Excellency. Your Highness may believe that." + +"I believe you unconditionally, Egon. Your love for veracity is far +above any doubts with me," said the lady, with stinging sarcasm. "I +just happen to remember speaking the day before yesterday with the +steward of Rodeck--the old Stadinger--who is still very active for his +years." + +"But he suffers seriously from failing memory," the Prince hastened to +assure her. "I am sorry to say that Stadinger forgets everything. Is it +not so, Hartmut? He positively does not know to-day what he saw +yesterday." + +"On the contrary, I found that his memory was exceptionally fresh. +Besides, he is the oldest and truest servant of your house, +reliable--careful----" + +"And a churl," interrupted Egon, sighing. "Your Highness, you have no +idea of the unlimited gruffness which dwells in this Peter Stadinger. +He tyrannizes over Herr Rojanow and me shamefully. I have actually +thought of retiring him." + +Of course, he did not dream of that. His Highness knew better than to +make Peter Stadinger such a proposition, and would have fared badly if +he had. But Princess Sophie, who had the reputation of being very +haughty and relentless toward her servants, now favored a very mild +course. + +"You should not do that," she remonstrated. "A man who is now serving +the third generation of the ducal family may be pardoned such a thing, +particularly considering the somewhat loose housekeeping which the +young gentlemen lead at Rodeck. It seems that they do not like to see +visitors there, preferring the solitude." + +"Ah, yes, the solitude!" sighed Egon, sentimentally. "It does one so +much good after the stormy life of travel, and we enjoy it in full +draughts. I occupy myself mostly----" + +"With the taming of your wild animals," finished the Princess +maliciously. + +"No, with--with my travelling memoirs, which I intend to publish; and +Hartmut composes melancholy songs. He has just now the material for a +ballad under his pen, to which Your Highness drew his attention." + +"Why, Herr Rojanow, have you really utilized the theme?" asked the +lady, whose face now suddenly beamed with sunshine, as she turned to +the young poet. + +"Certainly, Your Highness. I am very grateful to you for the +suggestion," said Hartmut, who had not the slightest idea what the +subject was, but felt that he had to go into action now. + +"I am glad of that. I love poetry and seek it at every opportunity." + +"And with what understanding and appreciation!" cried Egon, +enthusiastically. But he quickly embraced the opportunity of slipping +away, leaving his friend behind as the victim. He hastened to the +presence of the Duchess, which meant the presence of Frau von +Wallmoden, where he seemed to feel decidedly better than with his most +gracious aunt. + +The chase was resumed after luncheon was over. It was now a hunt for +large game, which was commenced with renewed zeal. + +But the hitherto sunny weather changed in the afternoon. The sky grew +cloudy and dark, but it remained warm, almost stifling, and a heavy +bank of cloud arose in the west. It looked as if one of those late +thunderstorms was preparing, which passed at times over the Wald at +this season. + +The Duchess, with a portion of her attendants, had taken her stand upon +a hill which seemed to afford the best view, but soon the chase took +another quite unexpected direction, and the onlookers made ready to +follow. + +Frau von Wallmoden met here with a slight accident. The girth of her +saddle suddenly broke and she sprang lightly from the stirrup, thus +saving herself from a fall. It was not possible to continue her ride, +for although the accompanying groom could have given her a horse, there +was no lady's saddle at hand; consequently she had to give up further +participation, and decided to walk back to Bucheneck, to where one of +the grooms would lead her horse. + +Adelaide had requested the servant to precede her, and she lingered on +the hill which had become quiet and lonely. It almost seemed that the +accident had been welcome to her, since it relieved her from attending +the chase to the end. + +It is always a relief when one can drop a mask which has deceived the +world and can breathe in solitude, if it only brings conviction of the +heavy load one had to bear under that mask. + +Where had the cold, proud calm vanished with which the young wife had +entered her new home upon the arm of her husband? Now, when she knew +herself alone and unobserved, it could be plainly seen that she had +changed much. + +That strong will-line which had made her resemble her father so much +had become more pronounced, but besides that there was another line--a +painful one--as of a person who has to struggle with secret torture and +anxiety. The blue eyes had lost the cold, dispassionate expression. A +deep shadow rested within them which also told of struggle and pain, +and the blonde head drooped as if under an invisible but heavy load. + +And yet Adelaide drew a breath of relief at the thought that this would +be the last day she should spend at Furstenstein. By to-morrow she +would be far from here. Perhaps there would be rest in the far removal +of the dark power against which she had struggled now for weeks so +painfully, and yet so vainly. + +Perhaps she would get better if she did not see those eyes day after +day, nor hear that voice. + +When she should have fled from the enchanted circle the charm would +have to break, and now at last she could flee--oh, the happiness of it! + +The noise of the chase sounded in ever-increasing distance, and was +finally lost, but steps now sounded in the forest which encircled the +hill closely, and warned the young Baroness that she was no longer +alone. She started to leave, but at the moment she turned the one +approaching emerged from under the trees. + +Hartmut Rojanow stood before her. + +The meeting was so sudden and unexpected that Adelaide's composure was +not proof against it. She retreated to the trunk of the tree, under the +boughs of which she had been standing, as if seeking there a protection +from this man, upon whom she gazed with fixed, fearful eyes--with the +gaze of a wounded animal which sees the huntsman approach. + +Rojanow did not seem to notice it. He saluted her and asked hastily: +"You are alone, Your Excellency? The accident did not have any serious +consequences?" + +"What accident?" + +"It was said you had a fall from your horse." + +"What exaggeration! The girth broke, but I knew it in time to spring +from the stirrup, while the horse stood perfectly still--that was the +accident." + +"God be praised! I heard something of a fall--an injury--and as you did +not reappear at the chase I feared----" + +He paused, for Adelaide's glance showed him plainly that she did not +believe this pretense; probably he knew the whole occurrence and had +learned why and where Frau von Wallmoden had been left behind. She now +regained her composure. + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow, but your being at all concerned was not +necessary," she said coldly. "You could have told yourself that had +there been a real accident the Duchess and the other ladies would not +have left me helpless in the forest. I am on my way to Bucheneck." + +She attempted to pass him. He bowed and stepped aside as if to let her +pass, but said in a low voice: + +"Gracious lady, I have yet to ask your pardon." + +"My pardon! For what?" + +"For a request which I uttered thoughtlessly and for which I have had +to suffer seriously. I only asked for a flower. Is that, then, so +severe a transgression that one should be angry over it for weeks?" + +Adelaide had paused almost without knowing it. + +Again she was under the charm of these eyes--this voice, which held her +fast as with magnetism. + +"You are mistaken, Herr Rojanow. I am not angry with you." + +"Not? And yet it is this icy tone I have always to hear since I dared +approach you in that hour. You have learned, too, to know my work, for +which I begged a recognition. You were present when I read it at +Furstenstein. My Arivana was praised overwhelmingly on all sides, but +from your mouth alone I heard no word--not one. Will you refuse it even +now?" + +"I thought we were hunting to-day," said Adelaide with an attempt to +pass the subject by, "where it is surely not admissible to speak of +poetical works." + +"We have both left the chase; it is running now toward the Rodeck +forest. There is only forest solitude here. Look at this autumn-tinted +foliage which warns so mournfully of fleeting existence--the silent +water down there, those thunder clouds in the distance. I believe there +is a more endless amount of poetry in all this than in the halls of +Furstenstein." + +He pointed to the landscape which spread out before them, but no longer +in the bright sunlight that had favored the chase at the beginning. Now +it lay in the dim light of an overcast sky, which made even the gay +foliage appear withered and dull. + +They could see far out into the mountains, which, retreating on both +sides, left the distance free. The endless ocean of forest crowns which +only a few weeks ago waved green and airily in the breeze, now bore the +color of the fall. They shone from the darkest brown to brilliant +golden yellow in every shade all around, and shining red gleamed from +the bushes and shrubs. + +The dying forest adorned itself once more with deceptive splendor, but +it was only the coloring of the passing away and dying. All life and +bloom were at an end. + +Deep in the ravine lay a little forest lake, which, dark and +motionless, seemed to dream in the wreath of reeds and rushes which +surrounded it. It resembled strangely another pond that, far away +in North Germany, lay in the midst of a pine forest--the Burgsdorf +pond--which, like this one, ended in a meadow where rich green +beckoned, nourished by the swamp and bog, hiding itself deceitfully +beneath it, and drawing the ignorant one into its depth without hope of +rescue. + +Even now in daylight it seemed to breathe fog and twilight, and when +night should descend the will-o'-the-wisp probably commenced here also +its ghostly play. + +At the horizon, where in clear weather the summits of the mountains +were visible, towered now a dark bank of clouds. As yet in the +distance, its stifling breath rested already over the Wald, and at +times a dull light flashed from it. + +Adelaide had not answered Hartmut's question. She gazed out over the +country to avoid looking into the face of the man who stood before her, +but she felt the dark, passionate look which rested upon her face, as +she had always felt it in the last weeks, as soon as Rojanow was in her +presence. + +"You are going away to-morrow, gracious lady," he commenced again. "Who +knows when you will return and when I shall see you again? May not I +beg for your opinion? May I not ask if my work has found grace in the +eyes of--Ada?" + +Her name again upon his lips; again that soft, veiled, yet passionate, +tone which she feared, and yet to which she listened as to enchanting +music! + +Adelaide felt that here she was a prisoner; there was no chance for +flight. She had to look the danger full in the face. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIX. + + +Adelaide von Wallmoden turned slowly toward her questioner, and her +features betrayed that she was determined to end the hard struggle the +struggle with her own self. + +"You play strangely with this name, Herr Rojanow," she said +emphatically and proudly. "It stood over the poem which was put into my +possession in a mysterious manner last week, written in a strange hand, +without signature----" + +"And which you read, nevertheless," he interrupted triumphantly. + +"Yes, and burned." + +"Burned!" + +From Hartmut's eyes flashed again the uncanny look which had startled +even Egon and made him exclaim, "You look like a demon!" + +The demon of hate and revenge had risen wildly against the man who had +insulted him unto death and whom he therefore wished to hurt unto +death, and yet he loved that man's wife as the son of Zalika alone +could love--with wild, consuming passion; but that which he felt at +this moment resembled hatred more than love. + +"The poor leaf," he said with ill-concealed bitterness. "And so it had +to suffer death in the flames--perhaps it deserved a better fate." + +"You ought not to have sent it to me, then. I dare not and will not +accept such poetry." + +"You dare not, gracious lady? It is the homage of a poet which he +lays at the feet of the woman who has been his from the beginning of +time--and you will concede that to him also." + +The words came but half-aloud from his lips, but so hot and passionate +that Adelaide shuddered. + +"You may pay homage like that to the women of your country, and in such +words," she said. "A German woman does not understand it." + +"But you have understood it, nevertheless," Hartmut burst forth, "and +you also understood the doctrine of the intense ardor of my Arivana, +which bears off the victory over all human laws. I saw it that evening +when you turned your back apparently so coldly upon me, while all the +others overwhelmed me with admiration. Do not deceive yourself, Ada. +When the divine spark falls into two souls it flames up, in the cold +north as well as the fervent south, and it already burns within us. In +this breath of fire, will and will-power die the death; it smothers +everything that has existed, and nothing remains but the holy, blazing +flame which shines and makes happy, even if it destroys. You love me, +Ada--I know it--do not attempt to deny it, and I--I love you +boundlessly." + +He stood before her in the stormy triumph of the victor, and his dark, +demoniacal beauty had, perhaps, never been as captivating as at this +moment, when the fire which breathed in his words burst also from his +eyes--his whole being. + +And he did speak the truth! + +The woman who leaned there against the trunk of the tree so deathly +white, loved him as only a pure, proud nature can love; that nature +which so far had lived in the delusion that her emotions would forever +lie in slumber, called by the world coldness of heart. + +Now she saw herself awaking before a passion which found a +thousand-fold echo in her own breast; now that breath of flame floated +around her also with its scorching glow; now came the test! + +"Leave me, Herr Rojanow, instantly!" cried Adelaide. + +Her voice sounded half smothered, almost inaudible, and she addressed a +man who was not wont to yield when he felt himself victorious. + +He started to approach her hastily--he suddenly stood still. There was +something in the eyes--in the bearing of the young Baroness which kept +him within bounds, but again he breathed her name in that tone, the +power of which perhaps he knew best--"Ada." + +She shuddered and made a repellent gesture. + +"Not that name. For you I am Adelaide von Wallmoden. I am married--you +know that." + +"Married to a man who stands on the border of old age, whom you do not +love, and who could not give you any love if he were young. That cold, +calculating nature knows no emotion of passion. The Court, his +position, his promotion, are everything to him--his wife, nothing. He +perhaps boasts of the possession of a jewel which he does not know how +to value, and for which another would give his soul's eternal bliss." + +Adelaide's lips quivered. She knew only too well that he was right, but +she did not answer. + +"And what binds you to this man?" continued Rojanow, still more +impressively. "A word--a single 'Yes' uttered by you without knowing +its full meaning--without knowing yourself. Shall it bind you for your +life? Shall it make us both miserable? No, Ada, love the eternal, +undying right of the human heart does not bow before that. People may +call it guilt, they may call it doom. We stand now under this doom, and +must follow it; a single word shall not part us." + +Far off at the horizon the flame burst up with such glaring light that +it shone also over the opening on the hill. + +Hartmut stood for a moment in this light. He was now so fully the son +of his mother; resembling so closely her beautiful but pernicious +features; but it was that flash of lightning that brought Adelaide back +to consciousness; or had it shown her the unholy fire which burned in +his eyes? She retreated with an expression of unveiled horror. + +"A solemnly given and accepted word is a vow," she said slowly, "and he +who breaks it breaks his honor." + +Hartmut started. Sudden and glaring like that flash of lightning flamed +up a remembrance in his mind--the resemblance of that hour when he had +given a solemn word--a word of honor, and--had broken it! + +Adelaide von Wallmoden straightened her slender figure; her features +still showed the deathly pallor as she continued in a low but steady +tone to Rojanow: + +"Abandon this persecution which I have felt for weeks. I shudder before +you--at your eyes, your words. I feel that it is destruction that goes +out from you, and one does not love that." + +"Ada!" + +Passionate entreaty sounded in the word, but the low voice of Adelaide +gained firmness quickly as she continued: + +"And you do not love me. It has often seemed to me as if it were your +hatred that pursued me. You and your kind cannot love." + +Rojanow kept silence in bewilderment. Who taught this young woman, +still so inexperienced in life, to look so deeply into his inmost +heart? He had not made clear to himself yet how inseparably hate and +love were combined in his passion. + +"And you tell this to the writer of Arivana!" he burst out in +bitterness. "They have called my work the high song of love----" + +"Then they have let themselves be deceived by the veil of the Oriental +legend in which you shrouded your characters. They saw then only the +East Indian priest sink with his beloved one under an iron, inhuman +law. You are perhaps a great poet, and perhaps the world overwhelms you +with praise, but it tells me something different--this fervent, ardent +doctrine of your Arivana. It has taught me to know its creator--a man +who does not believe in anything, and to whom nothing in the world is +sacred; no duty and no vow; no man's honor and no woman's virtue--who +would not hesitate to drag the highest into the dust as play for his +passion. I still believe in duty and honor; I still believe in myself, +and with this faith I offer defiance to the doom you hold so +triumphantly before me. I could force myself to death, but never to +your arms!" + +She stood before him, not as just now in trembling fear--in the +tortured wrestling with a secret struggle, It seemed as if, with each +of the annihilating words, one ring of the chain which held possession +of her so mysteriously was broken. Her eyes met fully and freely the +dark look which had kept her a prisoner so long; the charm was broken +now and she felt it, and breathed like one rescued. + +Again that flash in the distance--noiseless, without the rumbling of +thunder--but it was as if heaven had opened in all its vastness. +Fantastic formation of clouds was in this flaring light--forms which +seemed to wrestle and struggle with each other, born of the storm, and +yet that bank of cloud stood motionless at the horizon--and just as +motionless stood the man, whose dark features showed now an ashy +paleness in the glare of the lightning. + +His eyes were fixed upon the young woman, but the wild fire in +them had died out, and his voice had a strange sound as he said: "And +this is the opinion I asked for? I am nothing more in your eyes than +an--outcast?" + +"A lost man, perhaps. You have forced me to this confession." + +Hartmut slowly retreated a few steps. + +"Lost!" he repeated hoarsely. "In your meaning, perhaps, yes. You may +rest assured, gracious lady, I shall not approach you any more. One +does not desire to hear such words a second time--you stand so high and +proud upon your virtue and, judge so severely. Of course you have no +idea what a hot, wild life can make of a person who wanders restlessly, +without home and family, through the world. You are right--I have not +believed in anything, either upon high or here upon the earth--until +this hour." + +There was something in his tone, in his whole bearing, that disarmed +Adelaide. She felt that she would not have to fear another burst of his +passion, and her voice softened involuntarily at her answer. + +"I do not judge anybody; but with my whole mind and being I belong to +another world, with other laws than yours. I am the daughter of an +idolized father, who, all of his life, knew but one road that of +earnest, severe duty. On that he worked himself up from poverty and +want to wealth and honor. He led his children along this road, and his +memory is the shield which covers me in every hard hour. I could not +bear it if I had to cast down my eyes before the picture of my memory. +You probably have no father?"---- + +A long, heavy pause ensued. Hartmut did not answer, but his head sank +under those words, the crushing weight of which the Baroness had no +idea, and his eyes were upon the ground. + +"No," he at last replied, hoarsely. + +"But you have the memory of him and your mother." + +"My mother!" Rojanow started up suddenly and violently. "Do not speak +of her in this hour--do not speak to me of my mother." + +It was an outburst of mingled bitterness, of accusation and despair. +The mother was being judged by her son in this exclamation. He rejected +her memory as a desecration of this hour. + +Adelaide did not understand him; she saw only that she had touched a +topic which did not admit of explanation, and she also saw that the +man who stood before her now with this dark look--with this tone of +despair--was a different being from that one who had approached her a +quarter of an hour ago. It was a dark, mysterious depth into which she +gazed, but it no longer caused her fear. + +"Let us end this conversation," she said earnestly. "You will not seek +a second one--I trust you. But one more word before we part. You are a +poet. I felt it in spite of all when I heard your work, and poets are +teachers of mankind. They can lead to happiness or destruction. The +wild flames of your Arivana seem to burst forth from the depths of a +life which you yourself seem to hate. Look there!" She pointed into the +distance, which was now lighted up again in a flaming glow. "Those are +also signs of flame, but they come from on high, and they point to +another road---- Farewell!" + + * * * * * + +She had disappeared long ago, but Hartmut still stood as if rooted to +the ground. He had not replied with one word--had made no motion; he +only looked with hot, fixed eyes to where now one flash of lightning +after another tore the clouds asunder, shrouding the whole country with +a fiery cloak, and then he looked at the little forest lake which +resembled so closely that one at Burgsdorf, with its waving reed and +the deceiving, foggy meadow, which here also pressed so close to the +water. + +The boy had once dreamed among such whispering rushes of soaring +up like the falcon of which his race bore the name, in boundless +freedom--ever higher toward the sun--and at the same place the decision +over his fate had been made on that dark autumn night, when the +will-o'-the-wisp led its ghostly dance. + +But the deserter had not risen to the sun--the earth had held him fast; +the rich, green meadow had drawn him down deeper and deeper. He had +felt at times that the intoxicating cup of freedom and life which the +hand of his mother gave him was poisoned, but no precious memory +shielded him; he did not dare to think of his father. + +Over there in the distance the forms of cloud struggled and wrestled +wilder and wilder; closer and closer together they drew, and in the +midst of this struggle and this darkness the flames again burst +victoriously--the powerful flames from on high. + + + + + CHAPTER XXX. + + +The winter social life had commenced at the Residenz, where the +professional element played a conspicuous rôle. The Duke, who loved and +encouraged art, took great pride in gathering renowned members of it +into his presence, seeking to retain them in his capitol, and, of +course, society followed largely in the same direction. + +The young poet who was being so highly favored by the Court, and whose +first large work was to appear on the court stage, was from the first +an interesting person to everybody, and the tales which were told about +him served to increase this interest. + +It was very unusual for a Roumanian to compose his work in the German +language, even when it was whispered that he had received his education +in Germany. Besides that, he was the bosom friend, and the guest here +in town also, of Prince Adelsberg, and all sorts of touching and +wonderful stories were narrated about this friendship. + +Above all, Hartmut's personality gave him a favored position wherever +he went. The young, handsome, highly-gifted stranger, whom a +half-romantic, half-mysterious air surrounded, had only to make his +appearance even here to draw all eyes upon him. + +The rehearsal of Arivana had commenced immediately after the return of +the ducal party to the Residenz, under the personal supervision of the +poet; while Prince Adelsberg, who in his enthusiasm for the work of his +friend, had changed into a kind of manager, made life hard to the +performers by all sorts of requests in regard to the filling of +characters and the setting of the play. + +He knew how to get his way, and the scenery and setting were brilliant; +the rôles were all filled by the first talent of the Court Theatre, and +even the opera singers were called into service, since one of the rôles +required a rather extensive part of song. One could not expect this +from an actress, therefore a young singer--Marietta Volkmar--was +entrusted with it. + +The performance of the play, which was to have taken place at a later +date, was being hastened as much as possible, as guests were expected +at Court, and the new drama, which toyed so poetically and airily with +the Indian legend as a background, was to be performed before the +illustrious guests. An unusual success was anticipated. + +This was the state of affairs at the return of Herbert von Wallmoden, +who was naturally painfully surprised. Although he had learned from a +casual question to his wife that Rojanow still kept up his intercourse +at Furstenstein, and although he had not counted upon a sudden +disappearance on Rojanow's part which would necessarily have caused +comment, still he had been of the firm opinion that in spite of his +haughty decision to remain, Hartmut would consider it again and make +his retreat as soon as Prince Adelsberg left Rodeck. Surely he would +not dare to appear at the Prince's side at the Residenz, where his stay +might be made impossible through those threatened "explanations." + +But the Ambassador had not counted upon the unyielding defiance of the +man who ventured and dared a high game here. Now, after a few weeks, he +found him in a favored position in every respect and in closest +intercourse with the court society. + +If now, just before the performance of the drama which the Duke favored +so decidedly, and of which the whole town was already talking, one +should publish the disclosures of the former life of the poet, it would +touch all circles unpleasantly and appear malicious. + +The experienced diplomat did not deceive himself about the fact that +the deep displeasure which would doubtless take possession of the Duke +would then fall back upon himself, because he had not spoken before at +the first appearance of Rojanow. Nothing was left for him to do but to +keep silence and await developments. + +Wallmoden was far from having an idea that a heavy danger had +threatened himself from that quarter. He supposed that his wife knew +Hartmut only as a companion of Prince Adelsberg. She had never +mentioned the name since, after her arrival in Berlin, she answered a +seemingly careless question just as carelessly, and he had also kept +silence. She must not and should not learn anything of those old +connections which he had kept from her from the beginning. + +But he dared not be silent toward his nephew, Willibald, if he did not +wish to live to see another scene of recognition like that upon the +Hochberg. + +The young lord had accompanied his relatives to South Germany; was to +remain but a few days at the Residenz, and go from there to +Furstenstein to his betrothed, for the Chief Forester had specially +requested that the visit, which was so suddenly broken off in +September, should be finished now. + +"You were here barely a week," he wrote to his sister-in-law, "and now +I beg for my son-in-law a little longer. Everything has been put in +order now at your much-loved Burgsdorf, and there is not much to do in +November. Therefore at least send us Willy if you cannot get off. A +refusal will not be accepted. Toni expects her betrothed." + +Frau von Eschenhagen saw that he was right and was willing to send +Willy--for she, of course, decided the matter. He had made no new +attempt to rebel against the maternal ruling, and seemed, anyway, to +have come to his senses completely again. He was, perhaps, more quiet +than before, and threw himself with quite unusual zeal into his +agricultural work after his return, but otherwise bore himself +especially well. + +He remained obstinate only upon one point: he would not speak with his +mother about that "silliness" which had caused the sudden departure, +and avoided every explanation concerning it. Apparently he was ashamed +of that quickly-flaming affection, which probably had never been +serious, and did not wish to be reminded of it. + +He wrote frequently to his fiancée, and received just as punctual +replies. The correspondence, however, was more of a practical than a +tender nature, and mostly concerned plans for their future lives and +farm arrangements; but one saw from this that the young lord considered +his marriage, for which the day had been set, as quite decided, and +Frau Regine, who deemed it her indisputable right to read all of the +letters of the engaged couple, declared herself satisfied with them. + +So Willibald received a gracious permission to visit his betrothed, +which was now so much less hazardous since the dangerous little +person--Marietta Volkmar--was at present at the Residenz, where her +position kept her. But to be quite sure, Frau von Eschenhagen put her +son under the protection of her brother, who, with his wife, had paid a +brief visit to Burgsdorf upon his return from the Stahlberg works. + +If Willibald, during the two or three days of his visit at the +Residenz, remained at Wallmoden's house and went with them exclusively, +no danger was to be feared. + +The Ambassador saw soon after his arrival that he would be forced to +enlighten his nephew regarding Hartmut Rojanow, for the name was +mentioned on all sides already the first day. Willy, who at that former +time had been the confidant of the secret rendezvous of Hartmut and his +mother, and knew her name, started upon hearing it, coupled with a +remark that a young Roumanian was the gifted poet, which made him still +more suspicious. + +He glanced in perplexity at his uncle, who managed to signal to him +just in time not to question any further, and who then embraced the +first opportunity to tell him the truth. + +He did this, of course, in the most inconsiderate manner, and presented +Hartmut as an adventurer of the worst kind, whom he would in a very +short time force to give up the rôle which he was playing here, without +being in the least entitled to it. + +Poor Willibald's head swam at the news. His bosom friend--to whom he +had always been attached with the fondest affection, and to whom he +still clung in spite of the harsh sentence which was being pronounced +upon him--was here in his immediate vicinity, and he was not to go to +see him--was not even to recognize him if chance should bring about a +meeting. Wallmoden especially impressed the latter upon his nephew, +who, quite stunned, promised obedience and silence, as well toward +Adelaide as to his fiancée and the Chief Forester; but he could not +understand the thing by a long shot yet. He needed time for that as for +everything. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXI. + + +The day upon which Arivana was to be presented had arrived. It was the +first work of a young author and quite unknown poet, but the +circumstances made it a professional event, which was viewed by +everybody with intensest interest. + +From the earliest hour the Court Theatre was filled to its utmost +capacity, and now the ducal couple also appeared with their guests to +occupy the large court box. Although not formally announced, the +performance had the character of a benefit, to which the brilliantly +lighted house and the rich costumes and uniforms bore witness. + +Prince Adelsberg, who appeared in the court box, was as excited as if +he had written the drama himself. Besides, he found himself in as rare +as joyful accord with his most gracious aunt, who had called him to +her, and was speaking about the work of the poet. + +"Our young friend seems to have caprices like all poets," she remarked. +"What a notion to change the name of the heroine at the last moment!" + +"It did not happen at exactly the last moment," replied Egon. "The +change was made at Rodeck. Hartmut suddenly took a notion that the name +'Ada' was too cold and pure for his fiery heroine, and so her name was +changed forthwith." + +"But the name Ada stands on the programme," said the Princess. + +"Yes, but it has been turned over to an entirely different character of +the drama, who appears only in one scene." + +"So Rojanow has made changes since his reading at Furstenstein?" + +"Only a few; the piece itself has remained quite the same, except the +changing of names and that short appearance of Ada; but I assure Your +Highness this scene which Hartmut has added to the play is the most +beautiful thing he has ever written." + +"Yes, of course, you find everything beautiful which comes from the pen +of your friend," said the Princess, but the indulgent smile with which +she dismissed the Prince showed that she was of the same opinion. + +In one of the proscenium boxes were seen the Prussian Ambassador and +his wife--returned only a day or two from his vacation. His presence at +the theatre to-day was indeed not of his free will, for he would gladly +have remained away from this performance, but dared not out of +consideration for his position. The Duke himself had disposed of the +boxes, and had invited the foreign diplomats and their ladies; there +was no possibility of remaining away, particularly as Herr and Frau von +Wallmoden had, only a few hours previously, participated in a large +dinner at the ducal palace. + +Willibald, who had won permission from his uncle to at least get +acquainted with the work of his friend, sat in the parquette. Wallmoden +was not pleased with his presence here, but could not well forbid him +what he was going to do himself. Willy, who with difficulty had found a +seat, had not thought that a member of the opera could be employed in +the theatre, but when he opened the programme and came suddenly upon +the name of "Marietta Volkmar," whom he was to see to-night, he folded +the paper with a quick gesture and hid it in his pocket, regretting now +sorely having come to the theatre. + +The performance now commenced. The curtain rose and the first scene +passed quickly. It was a kind of preface, to acquaint the audience with +the strange, fantastic world into which they were to be introduced. + +Arivana, the ancient, sacred place of sacrifice, appeared in a +magnificent and appropriate setting. The most prominent character of +the piece, the young priest, who, in the fanaticism of his belief, +renounces utterly everything worldly and unholy, enters, and the vow +which removes him for time and eternity from the world, and binds him +body and soul to his deity, resounds in powerful, soulful verse. + +The vow was offered--the sacred fire flamed high, and the curtain fell. + +Applause, for which the Duke gave the signal, came from all sides. +Although it was assured that a work which was encouraged and favored so +by all should have a certain success, at least upon its opening night, +there was something else mingled in the applause. The audience already +felt that a poet spoke to them; his creation had perhaps needed the +approval of the Court, but now, since it was before them, it sustained +itself. One was attracted and held by the language--the characters--by +the theme of the drama, which already betrayed itself in its principal +features, and when the curtain rose afresh, intense, expectant silence +rested over the vast audience hall. + +And now the drama developed upon a background as rich and glowing in +color as were its language and its characters. The magnificent verdure, +the fairy-like splendor of its temples and palaces, the people with +their wild hatred and wilder love, and the severe, iron laws of their +belief--all, all, was fantastic and strange; but the feeling and acting +of these people were familiar to every one, for they stood under the +power which was the same centuries ago, as to-day, and which takes root +the same under the glowing sky of the tropics as in the cold North--the +passion and power of the human heart. + +This was indeed a "glowing doctrine," and it preached without restraint +the right of the passions to storm over law and institutions--over +oaths and vows--to reach their aims; a right such as Hartmut Rojanow +had understood and practised with his unreined will, who recognized no +law or duty, but who was all in all unto himself. + +The awakening of the passion--its powerful growth, its final +triumph--were all depicted in transporting language, in words and acts +which seemed to originate, now from the pure heights of the ideal, and +now from the depths of an abyss. + +Not in vain had the poet shrouded his characters in the veil of +Oriental legend, but under this veil he dared to speak and indorse that +which would hardly have been permitted him, and he did it with a +boldness which threw igniting sparks into the hearts of the listeners, +enchaining them demoniacally. + +Arivana's success was assured already at the second act. The work was +done by artists who belonged to the best on the stage, and they were +doing the best playing ever witnessed. Those taking the principal rôles +especially acted with the perfection of abandon which only real +enthusiasm can give. + +The heroine's name was no longer Ada. Another form now bore this +name--one who was strangely foreign to this excited picture of +passions; one of those tender, half-fairy-like beings with whom the +Indian legends inhabit the snow dwellings upon the icy heights of the +Himalayas--cold and pure as the eternal snow which shines upon them. + +Only in one single instance, in the parting scene, she floated on +spirit's wings through the stormy, excited gathering, remonstrating, +entreating, warning; and Egon was right. The words which the poet had +put into her lips were, perhaps, the most beautiful of the entire +drama. It burst suddenly like pure, heavenly light into the flaming +glow of a crater; but the scene was as short as beautiful. Quick as a +breath the apparition disappeared again into her snow dwelling, and +down yonder at the moonlit bank of the river floated the entrancing +song of the Hindoo girl--Marietta Volkmar's soft, swelling voice--under +the coaxing charm of which the cry of warning from the heights was +dispelled and unheeded. + +The last act brought the tragic end; the breaking of the doom over the +guilty pair; the death in the flames. This death was no atonement, but +a triumph--"a shining, divine death," and with the flames there also +flared up to heaven the demoniacal doctrine of the unconditional right +of the passions. + +The curtain sank for the last time, and the applause, which had +increased after every act, now grew to a storm. Usually the applause at +the court performances was kept within measured bounds, but to-day it +broke over the barriers. The flames of Arivana had kindled the +enthusiasm with which the whole house demanded the appearance of the +author. + +Hartmut finally appeared--without embarrassment or timidity--glowing +with pride and joy; he bowed acknowledgment to the audience, which +today offered him a drink he had never yet tasted in his wildly tossed +life. They were intoxicating, these first sips from the cup of fame, +and with this intoxicating knowledge, the celebrated poet now looked up +to the proscenium box, whose occupants he had long ago recognized. He +did not find, however, what he sought. Adelaide was leaning back in her +chair, and her face was hidden by her open fan. He saw only the cold, +unmoved face of the man who had insulted him so deeply, and who was now +a witness of his triumph. + +Wallmoden understood only too well what the flash of those dark eyes +told him: "Do you dare yet to despise me?" + + + + + CHAPTER XXXII. + + +The following morning at an early hour Willibald von Eschenhagen walked +through the park, which he wanted to see--at least so he had told his +uncle. + +The large, forest-like park which was situated directly before the +city, was indeed worth seeing, but Willibald paid no attention to the +landscape, which did not look very inviting this bleak November day. + +Without a glance to right or left he walked quickly forward, taking +aimlessly now this and now that path, without noticing that he +repeatedly returned to the same spot. It seemed as if he wished with +this stormy walk to calm an inner unrest; he had really gone out to be +alone in the free, open air. + +The young lord tried to persuade himself that it was only the meeting +again with the friend of his youth that had taken him so completely out +of his composure. He had not heard anything of Hartmut for fully ten +years--did not even dare to mention him at home, and now he suddenly +saw the lost one again, with the halo of a growing poetical glory +around his head. Deeply and wonderfully changed in appearance and +manner, in spite of all he was still the Hartmut with whom he had +played his boyish games so often. He should have recognized him at the +first glance without having been prepared for the meeting. + +Wallmoden, on the contrary, seemed to be disagreeably surprised at +yesterday's success. He had hardly spoken during the drive home; his +wife as little. She had stated in the carriage that the hot air of the +theatre had given her an intolerable headache, and retired immediately +upon their arrival home. The Ambassador followed her example, and when +he gave his hand to his nephew, who wished him good-night, he said +curtly: "Our understanding remains the same, Willibald. You are to keep +silence toward everybody, whoever it be. Look out that you do not +betray yourself, for the name Rojanow will be in everybody's mouth +during the next few days. He has had luck again this time--like all +adventurers." + +Willibald had accepted the remark silently, but he still felt that it +was something else which gave the author of Arivana this success. + +Under other circumstances he would have considered this work as +something unheard of--incomprehensible--without understanding it, but, +strange to say, the understanding for it had dawned upon him yesterday. + +One could fall in love without the solemn approval of the respected +parents, guardians and relations; it happened not only in India, but it +happened here sometimes, too. One could also incautiously and hastily +burden oneself with a vow and break it--but what then? + +Yes, then came the doom which Hartmut had pictured so horribly and yet +so fascinatingly. Willy was transporting in earnest the highly romantic +teachings of Arivana into Burgsdorf affairs, and the doom suddenly +assumed the features of Frau von Eschenhagen, who, in her wrath, was +surely worse than an angry caste of priests. + +The young lord heaved a deep sigh. He thought of the second act of the +play, when, from the circle of Hindoo girls who marched to the place of +sacrifice, a delicate figure had stepped forth, inexpressibly charming +in the white, flowing garments, and the wreath of flowers in her curls. +His eyes had hung riveted upon her, who appeared but twice or thrice +upon the stage, but after that her song had sounded from the banks of +the moonlit river. It was the same clear, sweet voice which had +enchanted the listener at Waldhofen, and now the old mischief, which he +had struggled down and thought forgotten, was back again. It stood +before him with giant size, and the worst of it was that he did not +even consider it longer as a mischief. + +The tireless walker now came for the third time to a small temple, open +in front, and in which stood a statue, while a bench in the background +invited one to rest. + +Willibald entered this time and sat down, less from a desire to rest +than to be able to follow his thoughts undisturbed. + +It was, perhaps, ten o'clock in the morning, and the paths were at this +hour almost deserted. Only a solitary pedestrian--a young man elegantly +dressed--walked leisurely and with apparent aimlessness along the +paths. He seemed to be expecting some one, for he glanced impatiently +now toward town, and now toward the Parkstrasse which bordered the park +for some distance. + +Suddenly he came toward the temple and took his stand behind it, where +he could keep the path in view without being seen. + +In about five minutes a young lady came from the city--a delicate, +graceful figure, in dark cloak and fur cape, with her fur cap pressed +closely down upon her curly head, and a muff in her hand, from which +peeped a roll of music. She was passing the temple quickly, when +suddenly she uttered an ejaculation of displeased surprise: + +"Ah--Count Westerburg!" + +The young man had approached and bowed. + +"What a happy coincidence! How could I hope that Fraulein Marietta +Volkmar would take so early a walk in the park!" + +Marietta stood still and measured the speaker from head to foot. Her +voice had a half-angry, half-contemptuous sound as she answered: + +"I do not believe in this coincidence, Herr Count. You cross my path +too often and persistently for that, although I have shown you +sufficiently how annoying your attentions are to me." + +"Yes, you are endlessly cruel to me," said the Count, reproachfully, +but with undeniable impertinence. "You do not accept my calls, refuse +my flowers and offerings, and do not even return my greetings when I +pass you by. What have I done to you? I have ventured to lay homage at +your feet in the form of jewels, which you returned to me----" + +"With the request that you discontinue such impertinences once for +all," interrupted the young girl vehemently. "I protest, besides, +against your continued advances. You have actually lain in wait for me +here." + +"Mon Dieu! I only wished to beg your pardon for that boldness," assured +Count Westerburg, apparently submissive, but at the same time he +stepped into the middle of the narrow path, so that it was impossible +to pass. "I might have known that you are unapproachable, for everybody +protests that none protects her name so jealously as you, beautiful +Marietta." + +"My name is Fraulein Volkmar!" cried Marietta, angrily. "Keep your +flattering speeches for those who allow such things to be told them. I +shall not do it, and if your advances do not cease I shall have to call +in protection." + +"Whose protection?" sneered the Count. "Perhaps that of the old lady +with whom you live and who is always and everywhere at your side, +except in your walk to Professor Marani. The singing studies at the old +gentleman's are not dangerous, and that is the only walk you take +alone." + +"Then you knew that I went to the Parkstrasse at this hour! Then it is +actually an attack! Please let me pass. I wish to go." + +She tried to pass by him, but the young man stretched out his arms so +that he filled the path. + +"You will assuredly permit me to accompany you, mein Fraulein. Only +look, the path is quite lonely and deserted; there is not a soul +around. I really must offer you my escort." + +The path seemed, indeed, quite deserted, and another girl might have +been intimidated by this reference to her defencelessness, but the +little Marietta only drew herself up undauntedly. + +"Do not dare to attempt to follow me by even a step." she cried in +deepest anger. "Your escort is just as unbearable to me as your +presence. How often must I tell you that?" + +"Ah, so angry!" cried the Count with a malicious smile. "Well, I shall +not have ventured this attack for nothing. I shall at least repay +myself with a kiss from those charming, angry lips." + +He actually prepared to fulfil his threat, approaching the quickly +retreating girl, but at that moment, propelled by an awful blow, he +flew to one side and fell full length upon the damp ground, where he +remained lying in a very pitiable plight. + +Startled at this unexpected and stormy succor, Marietta turned around, +and her face, flushed from insult and anger, bore expression of great +amazement as she recognized her deliverer, who now stood at her side, +looking wrathfully at the form upon the ground, as if it were his +highest desire to quite finish him. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen--you!" + +In the meantime Count Westerburg had struggled painfully to his feet +and now drew near his aggressor threateningly. + +"How dare you! Who gives you the right----" + +"I advise you to remain ten feet away from this young lady," +interrupted Willibald, placing himself in front of Marietta, "or you +will fly off again, and the second blow might not prove as soft as the +first." + +The Count, a slender, far from powerful man, measured the giant before +him, whose fist he had already felt, but one look was enough to +convince him that he would come out second best in an encounter. + +"You will give me satisfaction--if you are worth it," he hissed in a +half-choked voice. "Probably you do not know whom you have before +you----" + +"An impudent fellow whom one chastises with pleasure," said Willy +stolidly. "Please remain standing where you are, or I will do it now. +My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen. I am lord of Burgsdorf, and can +be found at the mansion of the Prussian Ambassador if you should have +more to tell me---- If you please, mein Fraulein, you may trust +yourself unhesitatingly to my protection. I pledge myself that you will +not be molested further." + +And now something unprecedented, unheard of, happened. Herr von +Eschenhagen, without stammering, without showing embarrassment of any +kind, offered his arm with a genuinely chivalrous movement to the young +lady, and carried her off without concerning himself further about the +Count. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXIII. +Marietta had accepted the proffered arm without speaking a word until, +having reached a considerable distance, she commenced, with a timidity +otherwise foreign to her manner: "Herr von Eschenhagen----" + +"Mein Fraulein." + +"I--I am very grateful for your protection, but the Count--you have +insulted him--even with a blow. He will challenge you and you will have +to accept it." + +"Of course, with the greatest pleasure," said Willy, and his face was +beaming as if the prospect gave him unmixed delight. + +His awkward, embarrassed manner had suddenly disappeared; he felt +himself a hero and deliverer, and enjoyed the new position immensely. + +Marietta looked at him in speechless amazement. + +"But it is awful that this should happen for my sake!" she commenced +again, "and that it should be just you." + +"Perhaps that is not agreeable to you," said the young lord, who in his +present elated mood took offence at the last remark. "But Fraulein, in +such a case one has no choice. Forced by necessity, you had to accept +me as protector, even if I did not stand very high in your esteem." + +A burning blush spread over Marietta's face at the remembrance of that +hour when she had poured out her supreme contempt on the man who now +took her part so gallantly. + +"I thought only of Toni and her father," she returned in a low voice. +"I am blameless in this matter, but if I should be the cause of your +being torn from your fiancée----" + +"Toni must accept it then as providential," said Willy, upon whom +the mention of his betrothed made little impression. "One can +lose his life anywhere, and one must not always expect the worst +consequences----Where shall I carry you, Fraulein? To the Parkstrasse? +I believe I heard that you wished to go there." + +She shook her head quickly. + +"No, no! I intended going to Professor Marani, who is teaching me a new +rôle, but I cannot sing now--it is impossible. Let us look for a +carriage; we may find one over there. I would like to go home." + +Willibald turned his steps at once in the appointed direction, and they +walked on silently to the edge of the park, where several cabs were +standing. + +The young girl stopped here and looked anxiously and entreatingly at +her companion. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen must it really be? Cannot the matter be smoothed +over?" + +"Hardly: I have given the Count a heavy blow and called him an impudent +fellow, and shall stand to that, of course, if it should come to any +explanation; but do not worry about that. The affair will probably be +settled with a few scratches by tomorrow or the day after." + +"And must I remain two or three days in this anxious uncertainty? Will +you not at least send me word about it?" + +Willibald looked into the dark, tearful eyes, and with that look there +came into his eyes that strange sudden glow as on that day when he +heard the voice of the "_singvögelchen_" for the first time. + +"If everything passes off happily I shall come myself and bring you +word," he replied. "May I?" + +"Oh, certainly, certainly. But if an accident occurs--if you should +fall?" + +"Then keep me in better remembrance than heretofore, mein Fraulein," +said Willibald, earnestly and cordially. "You must have considered me a +great coward--oh, do not say anything! You were right. I felt it myself +bitterly enough--but it was my mother whom I was accustomed to obey, +and who loves me very much. But you shall see now that I know how a man +must act when a defenceless girl is being insulted in his presence. I +will now erase, if need be, with my blood, that bad hour." + +Without giving her time to reply he called one of the waiting cabs, +opened the door, and gave the driver the street and number which +Marietta had given him. She entered the carriage and stretched out her +little hand to him once more. He held it for a moment, then the young +girl threw herself back upon the cushion with a stifled sob, and the +carriage rolled away. + +Willy followed it with his eyes until nothing more could be seen of it, +then he drew himself up and said with a kind of grim satisfaction: "Now +take care, Herr Count! It will be a real pleasure to me now to fire +until sight and hearing leave me." + + + + + CHAPTER XXXIV. + + +Twilight came on early this bleak November day, and the Adelsberg +palace was already lighted when the Prince, returning from a short +drive, reached the portal. + +"Is Herr Rojanow in his rooms?" he inquired of the servant who hastened +up. + +"At your service, Your Highness," the man replied, bowing low. + +"Order the carriage at nine o'clock. We drive to the ducal palace." + +Egon mounted the stairs and entered the apartments of his friend, which +adjoined his own on the first floor, and which, like all the rest of +the princely house, were furnished with antique splendor. + +A lamp burned upon the table of the sitting-room. Hartmut lay stretched +upon a lounge in a position indicative of utter weariness and +exhaustion. + +"Are you resting upon your laurels?" asked the Prince, laughing and +drawing near. "I cannot blame you, for you have not had a moment's +peace to-day. It is really a rather trying business to be a new rising +star in the poetical firmament; nerve is required for it. The people +actually fight each other for the honor of being allowed to tell you +flatteries. You have held a grand reception today." + +"Yes, and now we have to go to the Court besides," said Hartmut in a +weary voice. The prospect seemed to have no charm for him. + +"We must, indeed. The illustrious ladies and gentlemen wish also to +bring their homage to the poet--my most gracious aunt at their head. +You know she is a kind of _bel-esprit_, and believes to have found a +kindred soul in you. Thank God, she does not order me to her side so +continually, and perhaps through this she will forget those unfortunate +schemes for my marriage. But you seem to be very unappreciative of the +ducal favors which rained upon you yesterday. What is the matter? You +hardly answer. Are you not well?" + +"I am tired. I wish I could escape all this noise and flee to the quiet +of Rodeck." + +"Rodeck! Ah, it must be charming there at present, with the November +fogs, and the wet, leafless forests! Brrr! a real spook's haunt!" + +"Nevertheless, I have a real longing for that gloomy solitude, and I +shall go there soon for a few days. I hope you have no objections?" + +"I have very many objections to it," exclaimed Egon, indignantly. "What +notion is this, I beg of you? Now, when the whole town lifts the poet +of Arivana upon the shield, will you withdraw your honored presence and +escape all the triumphs and attentions to bury yourself alive in a +haunted little forest nook, which is only bearable in sunshine! +Everybody will find it incomprehensible." + +"I don't care. I need solitude now. I go to Rodeck." + +Egon shook his head. Although he was accustomed to seeing his friend +act in this domineering, inconsiderate manner whenever the notion +seized him, and had himself spoiled him in this respect with all his +might, the present idea seemed too preposterous. + +"I believe my most gracious aunt is right," he said half reproachfully, +half jestingly. "She remarked yesterday at the theatre, 'Our young poet +has caprices like all of his class.' I think so, too. What is the +matter now, really, Hartmut? Yesterday and to-day you beamed with +triumph, and now I have left you hardly an hour, when I find you in a +regular attack of melancholy. Have the papers annoyed you? Perhaps it +is some malicious, envious critic?" + +He pointed to the writing table, where the evening papers lay. + +"No, no," returned Rojanow quickly. But he turned his head so that his +face was in shadow. "The papers contain only general remarks so far, +and they are all flattering. You know that I am subject to such moods, +which often overcome me without cause." + +"Yes, I know that, but now that good luck overwhelms you on all sides, +those moods should absent themselves. But you really look haggard--that +comes from the excitement through which both of us have passed during +these last few weeks." + +He bent over his friend with concern, and Hartmut, in rising regret for +his brusque manner, stretched out his hand. + +"Forgive me, Egon. You must have patience with me--it will pass off." + +"I hope so, for I want to do proud with my poet to-night. But I will go +now, so that you can rest. Do not let anybody disturb you. We have +still three hours before we have to go." + +The Prince left the room. He had not seen the bitter expression +trembling around Hartmut's mouth when he spoke of his overwhelming good +fortune, and yet he had spoken the truth. Fame was happiness--perhaps +the highest in life--and to-day had confirmed the triumph of yesterday, +until suddenly, an hour ago, a sharp discord had fallen into the +flattering tune. + +The young poet had scanned the papers which he found upon his table on +his return. They did not contain explicit remarks about Arivana, but +recognized unanimously the great success and powerful impression of the +work, and promised detailed criticism the next day. + +Suddenly, in turning to the last page, Hartmut came upon a name, at the +sight of which intense, anxious surprise overwhelmed him. + +The next moment, however, he recognized that he was not the one +concerned in the article. It stated that the last journey of the +Prussian Ambassador to Berlin seemed to have been of greater importance +than was at first supposed. In an audience with the Duke immediately +after his return, Herr von Wallmoden had apparently brought some very +important things to light; and now, a high-standing Prussian officer, +who was the bearer of important messages to His Highness, was expected. +It doubtless concerned military matters, and Colonel Hartmut von +Falkenried would arrive in a few days. + +Hartmut dropped the paper as if it had suddenly become red-hot iron. +His father would come to this place and would certainly hear everything +from Wallmoden--_must_ hear everything. The chance of meeting was then +very probable. + +"When you shall have gained a great, proud future, approach him again +and ask if he still dares to despise you." + +Zalika had whispered it to her son when he struggled against +flight--against the breaking of his word of honor. Now the beginning of +his future was made. The name Rojanow already bore the laurel of the +poet, and with that the whole past was erased. It should be--it must +be! This conviction flashed in the glance which Hartmut had thrown so +triumphantly up to the Ambassador's box yesterday. + +But now, when it meant the meeting of his father's eyes, the defiant +one trembled. Those eyes were the only thing upon earth that he feared. + +Hartmut was half decided to go to Rodeck and return only when he heard +through the papers that "the high-standing officer" had left the +Residenz. + +Yet something kept him here--a secret but burning longing. Perhaps the +hour of reconciliation had now come when the poet's fame rose so +brilliantly; perhaps Falkenried would see now that such a power needed +liberty and life to develop, and would pardon the unfortunate, boyish +folly which, with his views, had hurt him so deeply. + +Was he not his child? his only son, whom he had embraced with such +passionate tenderness that night at Burgsdorf? At this remembrance a +longing for those all-powerful arms, for the home which should no +longer be lost to him, for the whole boyhood which, although +constrained, had yet been so happy, pure and guiltless, flooded +Hartmut's inmost heart. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXV. + + +At this moment the door opened and the butler entered, bearing upon a +waiter a card. He presented it to Hartmut, who refused it with an +impatient gesture. + +"Did I not tell you that I did not wish to see any one else to-day? I +wish to remain undisturbed." + +"I told the gentleman so," replied the servant, "but he begged me to at +least give you his name--Willibald von Eschenhagen." + +Hartmut started suddenly from his reclining position. He could not +believe that he had heard aright. + +"What is the gentleman's name?" + +"Von Eschenhagen--here is the card." + +"Ah, let him enter, instantly!" + +The servant departed, and Willibald entered the next moment, but +remained standing at the door in uncertainty. Hartmut had sprung up and +looked toward him. Yes, there were the same familiar features--the +dear, well-known face, the honest blue eyes of his friend, and with the +passionate cry, "Willy--my dear old Willy, is it you! You come to me?" +he threw himself stormily upon his breast. + +The young lord, who had no idea how strangely his appearance at this +moment fitted into his friend's dreams of his youth, was most perplexed +over this reception. He remembered how domineering Hartmut had always +been to him, and how he had made him feel his mental inferiority at +every opportunity. He had thought yesterday that the highly honored +author of Arivana would be still more imperious and haughty, and now he +found an overflowing tenderness. + +"Are you glad, then, at my coming, Hartmut?" he asked, still somewhat +doubtful. "I was almost afraid it would not be acceptable." + +"Not acceptable, when I see you now after a lapse of ten long years!" +cried Hartmut reproachfully, and he drew his friend down beside him, +questioning him and covering him so with affection that Willy lost all +embarrassment and also returned to the old familiarity. He said that he +was in town for only three days and that he was on his way to +Furstenstein. + +"Oh, yes; you are betrothed," joined in Rojanow. "I heard at Rodeck who +was to be the Chief Forester's son-in-law, and have also seen Fraulein +von Schonan. Let me congratulate you with all my heart." + +Willibald accepted the good wishes with a peculiar face, and looked to +the floor as he replied, half audibly: "Yes, but to tell the truth, +mamma made the engagement." + +"I should have known that," said Hartmut, laughing, "but you have at +least said 'Yes' without being forced?" + +Willy did not answer. He studied the carpet intently and suddenly asked +quite disconnectedly: "Hartmut, how do you do when you compose poetry?" + +"How do I do?" Hartmut with an effort suppressed his laughter. "Really +that is not easy to tell. I do not believe that I can explain it +sufficiently." + +"Yes, it is a funny condition to make poetry," assented the young man +with a sad shake of the head. "I experienced it last night when I +returned from the theatre." + +"What! You compose poetry?" + +"And such poetry!" cried Willy in high satisfaction, but added in +somewhat subdued tones: "Only I cannot find rhymes, and it also sounds +quite different from your verses. To tell the truth, it did not run +right, and I want to ask you how you do the affair. You know it is not +to be anything grand like your Arivana--only just a little poem." + +"Of course to 'her,'" finished Hartmut. + +"Yes, to her," assented the young lord with a deep breath, and now his +listener laughed aloud. + +"You are a model son, Willy, one must confess. It does happen sometimes +that one is betrothed at paternal or maternal command, but you +dutifully fall in love with your bride-elect besides, and even compose +poetry to her." + +"But it is not to the right one," exclaimed Willibald suddenly, with +such a strained expression that Rojanow looked at him in perplexity. He +really believed that his friend was not in his senses; and Willibald +must also have felt that he was making a peculiar impression. He +therefore began an explanation, but anticipated himself so much and was +so vague, that the affair became only the more tangled. + +"In fact, I have had an encounter with a fellow this morning who dared +to insult a young lady--Fraulein Marietta Volkmar, from the Court +Theatre. I knocked him to the ground and I would do it again to him or +to anybody who gets too near Fraulein Volkmar." + +He stretched out his arm so threateningly that Hartmut caught it +quickly and restrained him. + +"Well, I do not intend to get near her--you can spare me for the +present. But what is Marietta Volkmar to you--the little mirror of +virtue of our opera--who has so far been considered unapproachable?" + +"Hartmut, I request that you speak of this lady with reverence. In +short, this Count Westerburg has challenged me. I am going to exchange +shots with him, and hope to give him a good reminder." + +"Well, you really are making good progress in romance," said Hartmut, +who listened with ever-increasing interest. "You have been here only +three days and have commenced with a quarrel which ends in a challenge, +and are the knight and protector of a young singer--have a duel for her +sake. Willy, for heaven's sake, what will your mother say?" + +"This concerns an affair of honor, and my mother cannot interfere +here," declared Willy with a really heroic effect, "but now I must get +a second here, where I am quite a stranger and do not know a soul. +Uncle Herbert must not hear anything about it, of course, or he would +interfere with the police. So I decided to come to you and ask you if +you would render me this service." + +"That was what brought you," said Rojanow, in a tone of painful +disappointment. "I really believed old friendship had done it; but, +nevertheless, of course, I am at your command. What weapons does the +challenge demand?" + +"Pistols!" + +"Well, you know what to do with them. We practiced often enough with a +target at Burgsdorf, and you were a good shot. I shall look up the +second of your opponent to-morrow morning and send you word then. I +have to do that in writing, as I do not enter the house of Herr von +Wallmoden." + +Willy only nodded. He thought Wallmoden's hostility was being +reciprocated, but deemed it best not to make any inquiries upon this +point. + +"Very well, just write me," he replied. "Arrange things as seems best +to you; I shall be satisfied with everything; I have no experience in +such things. Here is the address of the second, and now I must go. I +have several things to put in order yet, in case the worst happens." + +He arose and extended his hand to his friend in farewell, but Hartmut +took no notice of it. His eyes were fixed on the floor, as he said in +low, hesitating tones: "One thing more, Willy. Burgsdorf is so near +Berlin. Perhaps you often see----" + +"Whom?" asked Willibald, as Hartmut paused. + +"My--my father." + +The young lord became visibly embarrassed at the question. He had +avoided the mention of Falkenried during the conversation, but did not +seem to be aware of his near arrival. + +"No," he said, finally; "we hardly ever see the Colonel." + +"But does he not come to Burgsdorf as of old?" + +"No, he has become very unsocial. But I happened to see him in Berlin +when I went to meet Uncle Herbert." + +"And how does he look? Has he aged any during these last years?" + +Willibald shrugged his shoulders. + +"Of course he has aged; you would hardly recognize him with his white, +hair." + +"White hair!" Hartmut burst forth. "He is hardly fifty-two years old. +Has he been ill?" + +"Not that I know of. It came quite suddenly--in a few months--at the +time when he asked for his discharge." + +Hartmut blanched, and his eyes were strained fixedly upon the speaker. + +"My father sought a discharge? He who is a soldier through, body and +soul; to whom his vocation---- In what year was it?" + +"It did not come to an issue," said Willy, pacifyingly; "they did not +let him go, but removed him to a distant garrison, and he has been in +the Ministry of War for three years." + +"But he wanted to leave--in what year?" panted Rojanow, in a sinking +voice. + +"Well, at the time of your disappearance. He believed his honor +demanded it, and, Hartmut, you ought not to have done that to your +father--not that. He almost died from it." + +Hartmut made no answer, no attempt to defend himself; but his breast +heaved in deep, unsteady breaths. + +"We will not speak of it," said Willibald, stopping short; "it cannot +be changed now. I shall expect your letter to-morrow. Get everything in +order. Good night." + +Hartmut did not seem to hear the words--did not notice the departure of +his friend. He stood there immovable, with eyes on the floor, and only +after Willibald had long disappeared did he straighten himself slowly +and draw his hand across his brow. + +"He wished to leave!" he murmured; "to leave the army because he +thought his honor demanded it. No--no, not yet. I must go to Rodeck." + +The honored poet, upon whose brow Fate was pressing the first laurel +wreath--who only yesterday had challenged the whole world in this +victorious knowledge--dared not meet the eye of his father. He fled +into solitude. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXVI. + + +In one of the quieter streets, whose modest but pleasant houses were +mostly surrounded by gardens, Marietta Volkmar lived with an old +lady--a distant relative of her grandfather--who was alone, but willing +and glad to be protection and company to the young singer. + +The two ladies led a life about which the ever-busy tongue of gossip +could find nothing to say, and were much beloved by other members of +the house. Fraulein Marietta, with her pleasant, happy face, was an +especial favorite, and when her clear voice rang through the house +everybody stopped to listen. But the _singvögelchen_ had grown mute in +the past two days, and showed pale cheeks and eyes red from weeping. +The people shook their heads and could not understand it until they +heard from old Fraulein Berger that Dr. Volkmar was sick, and his +granddaughter was worried about him, but could not obtain leave of +absence without a more forcible reason. + +This was, indeed, no falsehood, for the old doctor had really been +suffering for several days from a severe cold, but it offered no +occasion for serious concern. It was only a plausible explanation of +Marietta's changed demeanor, which was noticed even by her colleagues +at the theatre. + +The singer was standing at the window, gazing steadily out, in her +plain but cosily furnished sitting room, having just returned from a +rehearsal, while Fraulein Berger sat at a little table with her +needlework, casting anxious glances at her protegée. + +"But, dear child, do not take this affair so sorely to heart," she +admonished. "You will wear yourself out with this anxiety and +excitement. Why anticipate the worst at once?" + +Marietta did not turn. She was painfully pale, and a suppressed sob was +in her voice as she replied: + +"This is now the third day, and yet I cannot learn anything. Oh, it is +awful to have to wait like this, hour after hour, for bad news." + +"But why must it be bad news?" the old lady spoke consolingly. "Herr +von Eschenhagen was still well and bright yesterday afternoon. I +inquired about him at your special request. He went to drive with Herr +and Frau von Wallmoden. The affair has probably been settled amicably." + +"I should have heard of it," said the young girl, in a heartbroken way. +"He promised me, and he would have kept his word, I know. If misfortune +has really happened to him--if he has fallen--I believe I could not +live!" + +The last words were spoken so passionately that Fraulein Berger looked +at the speaker in dismay. + +"Do be reasonable, Marietta," she entreated. "How are you responsible +for an impertinent man insulting you, or the betrothed of your friend +stepping in to your rescue? You really could not act more despairingly +if your own betrothed stood before the pistol." + +The cheeks, just now so pale, flushed redly, and Marietta turned to the +window with a quick gesture. + +"You do not understand, auntie," she said, in a low voice; "you do not +know how much love and kindness have been shown me in the house of the +Chief Forester--how earnestly Toni begged my forgiveness when she +learned how deeply her future mother-in-law had offended me. What will +she think of me when she hears that her betrothed has been in a duel +for my sake? What will Frau von Eschenhagen say?" + +"Well, they will at least be open to the conviction that you are quite +innocent in this affair, which, if it ends well, they will not hear of. +I do not recognize or understand you in all this. You used to laugh +away every care and anxiety, but this time you exaggerate it in a +really incomprehensible manner. You have scarcely eaten or drunk in two +days in your excitement; you must not sit at my table to-day as you did +yesterday and the day before. I tell you that; and now I will look +after the dinner." + +The kind old lady arose and left the room to prepare some extra dainty +with which to tempt her protegée's fleeting appetite. + +She was right; the merry, bright Marietta would not now be recognized. +Beyond a doubt it gave a painful, depressed feeling to be brought +before the people of Furstenstein in so bad a light through that +occurrence in the park, and even here in town her name, so carefully +protected, might suffer if something of it should be heard; but, +strange to say, these possibilities remained in the background because +of a fear which grew with every hour and was hardly to be borne any +longer. + +"With my blood, if it must be." + +Unconsciously she whispered Willibald's last words, and pressed her hot +brow against the window pane. "Oh, my God, not that!" + +Suddenly at the street corner a figure appeared, which attracted +attention on account of its unusual size. He came nearer with rapid +steps and looked searchingly at the house numbers. + +With a suppressed cry of joy, Marietta sprang from the window. She had +recognized Herr von Eschenhagen. She did not wait until he pulled the +bell, but hastened to open the door. Tears shimmered yet in her eyes, +but her voice was jubilant as she cried: "You come at last! God be +praised!" + +"Yes, here I am, well and whole," assured Willibald, whose face lighted +up at his reception. + +Neither knew how they reached the sitting room. To the young man it +seemed as if a small, soft hand had been laid upon his arm and had +drawn him along, all unresisting. But when they stood before each +other, Marietta noticed that a broad, black bandage was around his +right hand. + +"Mon Dieu, you are injured!" she cried in fear. + +"A slight scratch--not worth mentioning," Willibald said merrily, +waving the hand. "I have given the Count a more severe reminder, but it +is also only a glance shot in the shoulder, and not in the least +dangerous to his precious life. That man could not even shoot right." + +"Then you did have the duel? I knew it." + +"This morning at 8 o'clock. But you need fear nothing more, mein +Fraulein. You see everything has passed off well." + +The young singer drew a deep breath, as if relieved of a mountain load. + +"I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen. No--no, do not refuse my thanks. +You have endangered your life for my sake. I thank you a thousand +times." + +"There is no cause, Fraulein; I did it gladly," said Willibald, +cordially. "But, since I have stood before the pistol now for your +sake, you must permit me to bring you a little token of remembrance. +You will not throw it at my feet again?" + +He somewhat awkwardly--because of his left hand--drew out from his +pocket a white tissue paper, and, opening it, disclosed a full-blown +rose with two buds. + +Marietta dropped her eyes in confusion. Mutely she accepted the flowers +and fastened one of them at her throat. Then she stretched out her hand +to the giver just as mutely. + +He fully understood the apology. + +"Of course you are accustomed to different floral offerings," he said, +apologetically. "I hear a great deal of the homage people pay you." + +The young girl smiled, but with a more pathetic than happy expression. + +"You have been a witness to what this homage is at times, and it was +not the first time it has happened. The gentlemen seem to think they +are permitted to venture anything when one is on the stage. Believe me, +Herr von Eschenhagen, it is often hard to bear this lot, for which I am +envied by so many." + +Willibald listened intently to these words. + +"Hard to bear? I thought you loved your vocation above everything, and +would not leave it at any price." + +"Oh, surely I love it; but I had not thought that so much bitterness +and hardship were connected with it. My teacher, Professor Marani, +says: 'One must rise as on eagle's wings; then all the low and vulgar +will remain far below.' He may be right, but one must be an eagle for +that, and I am only a '_singvögelchen_,' as my grandfather calls me, +which has nothing but its voice and cannot rise so high. The critics +often tell me that fire and strength are wanting in my rendering. I +feel myself that I have no real dramatic talent. I can only sing, and +would rather do that at home in our green forests than here in this +golden cage." + +The voice of the usually bright, cheery girl sounded full of deeply +suppressed emotion. This last occurrence had shown her again very +plainly her unprotected position, and now her heart opened to the man +who had interfered so bravely for her. + +He listened in rapt attention and seemed to read the words from her +lips, but at this truly sad report his face beamed as if something very +joyful was being related, and now he interrupted vehemently: + +"You long to get away from here? You would like to leave the stage?" + +Marietta laughed aloud, in spite of her sorrow. + +"No, I really do not think of that, for what should I do then? My +grandfather saved and economized for years to make my education as a +singer possible, and it would be poor gratitude if I should be a burden +to him in his old age. He does not know that at times his little +_singvogel_ longs for its nest, or that life is made hard for her here. +I am not usually without courage. I persevere and stand strong whenever +it must be so. Do not let these, my laments, be heard at Furstenstein. +You are going there?" + +A shadow passed over the beaming face of young Eschenhagen, and he was +the one now to lower his eyes. + +"I, indeed, go to Furstenstein this afternoon," he replied, in a +strangely suppressed tone. + +"Oh, I ask this one thing more. You must tell your betrothed +everything--you hear?--everything. We owe it to her. I shall write her +to-day about the occurrence, and you will confirm my letter with your +words--yes?" + +Willibald raised his eyes slowly and looked at the speaker. "You are +right, Fraulein. Toni must hear everything the whole truth. I had +already decided on that before I came here; but it will be a hard hour +for me." + +"Oh, surely not," said Marietta, encouragingly. "Toni is good and full +of trust. She will believe your word and my word, that we are both +innocent in this affair." + +"But I am not without guilt--at least toward my bride-elect," declared +Willibald, earnestly. "Do not look at me in such affright. You must +hear it later, anyway, and it is perhaps better that I tell you myself. +I am going to Furstenstein only to ask Toni"--he stopped short and drew +a deep breath--"to give me back my troth." + +"For heaven's sake, why?" cried the young girl, horrified at this +explanation. + +"Why? Because it would be wrong should I offer Toni my hand and +stand with her at the altar, with my heart as it is now. Because +only now do I see what the principal thing is for betrothal and +marriage--because----" He did not finish, but his eyes spoke so plainly +that Marietta fully understood the rest. + +Her face suddenly colored crimson. She drew back and made a violently +repellent gesture. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen, be silent; do not speak another word." + +"But it is not my fault," Willibald continued, in spite of the command. +"I have struggled manfully and tried truly to keep my promise during +the whole time I was at Burgsdorf. I believed it would be possible; but +then I came here and saw you again in 'Arivana' on that evening, and +knew that the struggle had been in vain. I had not forgotten you, +Fraulein Marietta--not for an hour--as often as I had tried to make +myself believe it, and I shall not forget you all my life long. I shall +confess this to Toni openly, and shall also tell my mother when I +return to her." + +The confession was made. The young lord, who could not manage the first +proposal at Furstenstein alone, but had to be helped by his mother, now +spoke as warmly and heartily--as openly and as truly--as a man must +speak in such an hour. He had learned it suddenly, and with the +helplessness which he shook off with such decision, there seemed to +fall off, too, all his awkwardness and ridiculous manner. + +He quickly approached Marietta, who had fled to the window, and his +firm voice grew unsteady as he continued: "And now one question. You +looked so pale when you opened the door for me, and your eyes spoke of +tears. The affair may have been painful and mortifying to you; I can +understand that, but did you also fear a little for my welfare?" + +No answer, but low sobs. + +"Did you fear for me? Only a little 'yes,' Marietta. You have no idea +how happy you would make me." + +He bent low over the young girl, who now slowly raised the small, bowed +head. In her dark eyes there glowed a spark as of secret happiness. The +answer was almost inaudible. + +"I? Ach, I have almost _died_ of fear these last two days." + +Willibald gave a joyful exclamation and drew her to his breast; but +only for a moment, then she struggled from his embrace. + +"No--not now. Go now, please." + +He released her at once and stepped back. + +"You are right, Marietta; not yet. But, after I have freed myself, I +shall come again and ask for another 'yes.' Farewell." + +He hastened away before Marietta had scarce recovered control of +herself. She was aroused by the voice of Fraulein Berger, who, +unnoticed by the two, had stood upon the threshold of the adjoining +room for several moments, and who now approached in a state of horror. + +"Child, for mercy's sake, what does it mean? Do you not consider----" + +The young girl did not let her finish, but threw both arms around her +neck and wept passionately. + +"Ah, now I know why I was so enraged at the time he suffered his mother +to insult me. It hurt me so inexpressibly to believe him a coward; I +have loved him from the first." + + + + + CHAPTER XXXVII. + + +In the house of the Prussian Ambassador everything was in a state of +preparation for the winter festivities. When Wallmoden had entered his +present position, in the spring, society was already scattered in all +directions for the summer, and immediately afterward occurred the sad +event which had put an end to all festivities for them. These causes, +however, were done with now. + +The many halls and apartments of the Ambassador's palace had been +furnished with such splendor as Herbert's circumstances, made brilliant +by his marriage, permitted; and it was his intention to have as +magnificent a home as was possible to obtain. Their first grand +reception was to take place next week, and in the meantime numerous +calls were being made and returned. + +The Ambassador was also much occupied with his official duties, +and, besides, there was one thing which ruined his peace of mind +completely--the success of Arivana. If he had had doubts before about +opposing Rojanow's publicity, it had now become quite impossible. The +"adventurer" was raised upon the shield and his poetical spirit was +being praised everywhere. The Court and society generally could not be +forced now to drop him without subjecting themselves to mortification, +and it was questionable, besides, if they would drop him at all, since +only hints and vague remarks could be given. That grand success had +made Hartmut almost unapproachable. + +To add to the embarrassment of the Ambassador's position, Falkenried's +arrival was expected in the near future, from whom the truth could not +be kept, for fear he should hear it from outsiders. + +The Colonel, of whose present trip nothing was known when Wallmoden had +seen him in Berlin a short time ago, would be here in a few days and +would make his headquarters at the Ambassador's palace, since he was no +stranger to Adelaide. She and her brother had, in a measure, grown up +under his eyes. + +When, ten years ago, the then Major Falkenried had been removed to the +distant province, he had been stationed at a post in the small town +lying in the immediate vicinity of the great Stahlberg works and +dependent almost entirely upon them. The new Major was considered an +excellent soldier, but a pronounced man-hater, who enjoyed his duties +only, occupying all his spare time with military studies, and who hated +everything that came under the head of society. + +As he was alone, he was excused from keeping an open house, and he +exhibited himself only at houses where his position imperatively +demanded it. Such consideration had to be shown the great manufacturer, +who was the leader of the whole vicinity, and who received and +entertained as guests the first and highest personages. + +Stahlberg had been the only one whom the military man approached. +Although the grave and gloomy reticence of the Major excluded real +friendship, yet the two men felt the highest esteem for each other, and +the Stahlberg home was the only place where Falkenried appeared +occasionally of his own free will. + +He had had intercourse there for years and seen the two children grow +up. Therefore Wallmoden was the more offended that Falkenried did not +attend his wedding, but excused himself through pressure of official +duties. + +Adelaide knew little or nothing about the life of the Colonel. She +considered him childless and heard only from her husband that he had +been married early in life, but had been separated from his wife and +was now a widower. + +It was about a week after the return of the Wallmodens that +Falkenried's arrival was announced to the young wife as she sat one day +at her writing table. She threw aside her pen, arose quickly and +hastened to her friend. + +"You are heartily welcome, Colonel Falkenried. We received your +telegram, and Herbert intended to meet you at the depot, but just at +this hour he has an audience with the Duke, and is still at the palace, +so we could only send the carriage." + +Her greeting had all the cordiality which an old friend of her father's +could wish, but Falkenried's response was not of a like kind. Coldly +and seriously he accepted the offered hand and the invitation to be +seated, as he thanked her for her welcome. + +The Colonel had indeed changed, so much as scarcely to be recognized. +Were it not for the tall, muscular form and strong, firm carriage, one +could have taken him for an old man. His hair--the hair of a man barely +fifty years old--was white as snow, the brow furrowed deeply, and sharp +lines were buried in the face, making it look ten years older. The +features, once so expressive, appeared fixed and immovable now; the +entire appearance and bearing bespoke stern, impenetrable reticence. + +Regine's words, "The man is turned to stone," were only too true. One +involuntarily gained the impression that he had become a total stranger +to the world, and that all mankind had died off for aught that moved +him--nothing was left except the duties of his vocation. + +"Perhaps I have disturbed you, Ada," he said, using her old home name +as he glanced at the writing table where lay a half-finished letter. + +"There is plenty of time for that," replied the young wife, lightly. "I +was only writing to Eugene." + +"Ah? I am the bearer of love from your brother. I saw him the day +before yesterday." + +"I knew that he intended going to Berlin and to see you. He has not +seen you for nearly two years now, and I, too, saw but little of you +during our journey through Berlin. We hoped you would come to +Burgsdorf, where we stayed for a few days, and I believe that Regine +felt very hurt that you did not accept her invitation for this time, +either." + +The Colonel looked to the floor; he knew why he avoided Burgsdorf and +its reminiscences. He had hardly been there twice since his return to +the Capital. + +"Regine knows how economical I have to be with my time," he replied, +evasively. "But, to return to your brother, Ada; I should like to speak +to you, and therefore I am glad to find you alone. What is the +difficulty between Eugene and his brother-in-law? Has something +happened to alienate them?" + +A certain embarrassment was visible in Adelaide's face at the question, +but she answered lightly: + +"Nothing especial; the two are not very congenial." + +"Not very congenial? Wallmoden is nearly forty years his senior, and +his guardian besides. Your brother will not be of age for several +years. In such case the younger one must submit unconditionally." + +"Certainly; but Eugene, although as good as gold, is only too often +rash and passionate as he has always been." + +"Alas, so he is. He will have to change considerably if he wishes to +fill, half as well as his father did, the important and responsible +position which awaits him. But something else seems to be the trouble +here. I made a casual remark about your marriage, Ada--which event, to +tell the truth, surprised me, although I am on friendly terms with your +husband--and said that I had not thought you had so much ambition; but +at this Eugene burst out and defended you in the most passionate +manner, and spoke of a sacrifice which his sister had made for him. In +short, he allowed himself to be carried away into words and hints which +surprised me in the highest degree." + +"You should not have paid any attention to it," said Adelaide, with +visible emotion. "A young, hot head takes everything tragically. What +did he tell you?" + +"In fact, nothing definite. He seems to have given you his word to keep +silent and not speak without your permission; but he seems to almost +hate his brother-in-law. What does all this mean?" + +The young wife was silent; the conversation seemed painful to her in +the highest degree. + +Falkenried looked at her searchingly as he continued: "You know it is +not my way to inquire into the secrets of others. I take but little +interest in the doings of people around me, but my friend's honor comes +into consideration here; those remarks contain a crimination. Of +course, I could not allow that, but when I remonstrated with your +brother and threatened to speak to Wallmoden about it, he said: 'My +Herr brother-in-law will explain the affair diplomatically to you. He +has proved a very diplomat in it all. Ask Ada if you wish to learn the +truth.' I ask you first, therefore; but if you cannot and will not +answer, then I must speak to your husband, from whom I cannot keep such +remarks." + +He spoke in a cold and measured tone, without any excitement. The +affair, apparently, caused him no interest whatever. He considered it +necessary to take it up solely because a point of honor came in +question. + +"Do not speak to Herbert about it, I beg of you," interrupted Adelaide, +quickly. "I shall have to explain to you, since Eugene allowed himself +to be carried away so far; but he has taken the matter too hard from +the beginning. There is nothing dishonorable about it." + +"I hope so, since Wallmoden is concerned," said the Colonel, with +emphasis. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + +The young Baroness lowered her voice and evaded the eyes of her +listener as she commenced. + +"You know that my engagement happened a year ago at Florence. My father +was even then very ailing, and the physicians desired that he should +remain in Italy during the winter. We went to Florence, intending to +stay two months, and then make further plans according to the wish of +the invalid. My brother had accompanied us, but was to return home at +the beginning of winter. + +"We took a villa outside the city, and, of course, lived quite secluded. +Eugene saw Italy for the first time, and it was so mournful for him to +sit day after day in the lonely sick room, that I seconded his request +to go to Rome for a short time. He finally received permission. Oh, if +I had never done it! But I could not know how deeply his inexperience +would involve him then." + +"That means that he followed up adventures, although his father was at +death's door." + +"Do not judge so harshly. My brother was scarcely twenty years old +then, and had always lived under the eyes of a loving but very strict +father. The short freedom proved dangerous to him. The young German, +who had no knowledge of the world whatever, was enticed into circles +where high--and as it was afterward proved--false gambling was the +order of the day, and where a number of bad, but outwardly charming, +elements met. Eugene, in his ignorance, did not understand it, and lost +heavily, until suddenly the party was raided by the police. The +Italians defended themselves, and it ended in a fight, into which +Eugene, too, was drawn. He only defended himself, but he had the +misfortune to injure a policeman severely, and was arrested with the +others." + +The Colonel had listened silently, with impassive face, and his voice +was as harsh as before as he said: "And Stahlberg had to live to see +this of his son, who had been a model until then?" + +"He never heard of it; it was only a momentary losing of one's self--a +case of one misled, rather than guilty, and it will not happen again. +Eugene has given me his word of honor for that." + +Falkenried laughed so scornfully that his companion looked at him in +consternation. + +"His word of honor! Yes, why not? That is given as easily as it is +broken. Are you truly so trusting as to believe in the word of such a +young lad?" + +"Yes, that I am," asserted Adelaide, in an injured tone, while her +eyes, earnest and reproachful, met the gaze of the man whose awful +bitterness she could not explain. "I know my brother. In spite of this +escapade, he is the son of his father, and he will keep his word to me +and to himself--I know it." + +"It is well for you if you can still believe and trust. I have long +forgotten how," said Falkenried, in a low but milder tone. "And what +happened then?" + +"My brother succeeded in being allowed to send me word immediately. +'Keep it from father, it would be his death,' he wrote. I knew better +than he did that our desperately ill father could not stand such news. +But we were alone in a foreign country, without friends or +acquaintances, and help had to be had instantly. In this extremity I +thought of Herr von Wallmoden, who at the time was at the embassy at +Florence. We had known him slightly before, and he had called directly +after our arrival and placed himself at our command, should we need the +help of the Ambassador. He had come to our house frequently, and now +hastened to me immediately upon receiving my request. I told him all, +and trusted him, beseeching his advice and help--and received it." + +"At what price?" demanded the Colonel, with darkly contracted brows. + +Adelaide shook her head. + +"No, no; it is not as you think--as Eugene also believed. I was not +forced. Herbert gave me free choice, although he did not hide from me +that the occurrence was much worse than I feared; that those sums lost +in play must, nevertheless, be paid if one wished to keep the affair +from publicity; that, in spite of all, it might get into the courts, on +account of the injury to the policeman. He explained to me that he +might be brought into a wrong light if he mixed himself up in such +affairs. 'You desire me to save your brother,' said he; 'perhaps I can +do it, but I jeopardize my position--my whole future thereby. One +makes such a sacrifice, perhaps, only for his own brother, or--his +brother-in-law." + +Falkenried arose suddenly and took a turn through the room. Then he +stood still before the young wife and said, in angry tones: "And you, +of course, believed that in your anxiety?" + +"Do you mean that it was not so?" asked Adelaide, startled. + +He shrugged his shoulders with a half-contemptuous expression. + +"Possibly. I do not know these diplomatic reasons. I know only one +thing; Wallmoden has, indeed, proved himself a great diplomat in the +whole affair. What did you answer him?" + +"I asked for time to think, everything had burst so upon me. But I +knew, that no moment was to be lost, and that same evening I gave +Herbert the right to act--for his brother-in-law." + +"Of course," muttered the Colonel, with deep disdain; "the wise, shrewd +Herbert!" + +"He obtained leave of absence immediately, and went to Rome," continued +the young Baroness, "returning in a week, accompanied by my brother. He +had succeeded in freeing Eugene and withdrawing him from the whole +affair. Even the newspapers did not mention the name of the young +German who had been involved in it. I do not know by what means it was +done. If one has powerful friends and does not need to spare money, +much is possible. Herbert had spent money lavishly on all sides and had +brought into use every advantage made possible to him through his long +years of diplomatic work. He also cancelled the gambling debts, +although with his own bond. He told me later that he had given half his +fortune for that purpose." + +"It was very magnanimous, since by this sacrifice he won a cool +million. And what did Eugene say to this--trade?" + +"He knew nothing of it, and soon returned to Germany, as had been +decided at first. From that time Herbert came to our house daily and +knew how to prepossess my sick father so well, that father finally felt +a desire for the union himself. Only then did Herbert begin his wooing. +I was grateful to him for giving it this turn, only Eugene was not +deceived. He guessed everything, and forced the truth from me. Since +then he has tortured himself with self-reproach and almost feels +hostility toward his brother-in-law, in spite of my repeated assurance +that I have never had cause to rue that step, and that I have in +Herbert the most attentive and considerate husband." + +Falkenried's eyes rested intently upon the face of the young wife, as +if he wished to read her most secret thoughts. + +"Are you happy?" he asked, slowly. + +"I am content." + +"That is much in this life," said the Colonel in the old, harsh tone. +"We were not born to be happy. I have done you wrong, Ada. I believed +the splendor of a high position, the desire to play a first rôle in +society as wife of the Ambassador, had made you Frau von Wallmoden, +but--I am glad that t judged you wrongly." + +He stretched forth his hand. Some expression was now in the icy gaze +and an apology in the grasp of the hand. + +"You know everything now," concluded Adelaide, with a deep breath, "and +I beg that you will not touch upon the subject before Herbert. You see, +there was nothing dishonorable in his dealings. I repeat to you that he +used neither force nor persuasion. I was forced only by the power of +circumstances. I could not expect that he would make such sacrifices +for a stranger." + +"If a lady had sought me in such anxiety, I would have made the +sacrifices--unconditionally," declared Falkenried. + +"Yes, you! I would have followed you also with a lighter heart." + +The avowal betrayed, unconsciously, how hard had been the struggle +which the young wife had not mentioned by a word. But she spoke the +truth. + +She would much rather have given herself to the gloomy, reticent man, +with his harsh and often offensive manner, if the sacrifice had to be +made, than to the ever polite and attentive husband, who, in the face +of her extremity--had traded with it. + +"You would have had a hard lot then, Ada," said the Colonel, with a +grave shake of the head. "I am one of the men who cannot give or +receive anything more in this life. I have finished with it long ago. +But you are right; it is better to let that subject remain untouched +between Wallmoden and me, for if I wished to tell him my true opinion +about it--well, he will always be a diplomat." + +Adelaide arose, breaking off the conversation, and tried to assume a +lighter tone. + +"And now let me take you to your rooms at last. You must be exhausted +by the long trip." + +"No, a single night's journey will not tire a soldier. Duty makes +harsher demands than that on us." + +He drew himself up straight and firm; one could see that his physical +strength was yet unbroken. Those muscles and sinews seemed like steel. +It was the features alone that bore the mark of age. + +The eyes of the Baroness lingered upon them thoughtfully, especially +upon the brow which was so deeply and heavily furrowed and yet was +formed so high and powerful under the white hair. + +It seemed to her as if she had seen that brow somewhere else, under +dark locks; but there could not be a sharper contrast than between this +too early aged, care-lined face and that youthful head with the +foreign, southern beauty and the uncanny light in the eyes. Yet it had +been the same brow over which the lightnings had flamed on that lonely +forest height; the same high, powerful curve; even the blue veins which +were so pronounced at the temples--a strange, incomprehensible +likeness! + + + + + CHAPTER XXXIX. + + +After some hours the two friends were alone together in Wallmoden's +study. The latter had just made the unavoidable as well as painful +disclosure. He had told the Colonel under what circumstances Rojanow +was in the city, and had unveiled to him uncompromisingly everything he +knew of Hartmut's life and that of his mother, finally informing him of +her death. + +He had feared this hour, but the result was quite different from what +he had expected. Mutely Falkenried leaned against the window with +folded arms and listened to the long explanations, without interrupting +by a word or gesture. His face remained cold and impassive; no quiver, +no motion betrayed that he heard those things which must bring anguish +to his heart. He was now also "a man of stone." + +"I believed I owed these explanations to you," concluded the Ambassador +finally. "If I have kept what I knew of the fate of the two from you so +long, it was done solely that you might not be tortured unnecessarily +with what was hard enough for you to overcome. But you had to learn now +what has happened, and how matters stand at present." + +The Colonel retained his position and his voice betrayed no mental +excitement as he replied: + +"I thank you for your good will, but you could have spared yourself +these explanations. What is that adventurer to me?" + +Wallmoden looked up amazed; he had not expected such a response. + +"I thought it necessary to prepare you for the possibility of meeting +him," he returned. "As you have heard, Rojanow now plays an important +rôle; he is celebrated everywhere. The Duke is deeply wrapped up in +him. You might meet him at the castle." + +"And what then? I do not know anybody by the name of Rojanow, and he +will not dare to know me. We should pass each other as strangers." + +The Ambassador's gaze rested searchingly upon Falkenried's features as +if to fathom this real coldness or incomprehensible self-command. + +"I thought you would receive the news of the reappearance of your son +very differently," he said, half aloud. + +For the first time he intentionally used this title; hitherto he had +merely said Rojanow. But now, for the first time also, an emotion was +visible in the calm figure at the window. But it was an emotion of +anger. + +"I have no son--remember that, Wallmoden. He died to me that night at +Burgsdorf, and the dead do not rise." + +Wallmoden was silent; the Colonel approached him and laid his hand +heavily upon his arm. + +"You said just now that it was your duty to enlighten the Duke, and +that you had not done so solely out of consideration for me. I +have, indeed, but one thing to guard in the world--the honor of my +name--which, through that exposition, would be at the mercy of the +world's raillery and scorn. Do what you think you must do--I shall not +hinder you. But--I shall also do what I have to do." + +His voice sounded as cold as before, but it contained something so +awful that the Ambassador started up in affright. + +"Falkenried, for heaven's sake, what do you mean? How am I to interpret +those words?" + +"As you like. You diplomats define honor differently at times from us. +I am very one-sided about it." + +"I shall keep silence inviolably, I pledge you my word," assured +Wallmoden, who did not understand the last bitter hint, for he had no +idea of Adelaide's confession. "I had decided on that before you came; +the name of Falkenried shall not be sacrificed by me." + +"Enough, and now no more of it. You have prepared the Duke for what I +bring?" asked Falkenried, passing on to an entirely different subject +after a short pause. "What has he to say to it?" + +Here again was the old iron, unbending will, which put aside all +questioning; but the sudden change seemed to be acceptable to the +Ambassador. He was, here as well as elsewhere, the wise diplomat who +dreaded nothing so much as public exposure, and who would never have +thought of exposing Hartmut, had he not feared that by a possible +leaking out of the truth later and of his knowledge of it, it might be +counted against him. Now, in the worst case, he could cover himself +with the promise he had given the father. Even the Duke must +acknowledge that he--Wallmoden--had had to spare his friend. The shrewd +Herbert knew how to calculate here, too. + +The stay of Colonel Falkenried was only of short duration, and during +the time he had no rest. Audience with the Duke--conferences with high +military dignitaries, communications with his own embassy--all were +crowded within a few days. + +Wallmoden was hardly less occupied, until finally everything was +settled. The Ambassador, and especially Colonel Falkenried, had reason +to be satisfied with the results, for everything had been successful +that was expected and desired by their government, and they could be +sure of the highest appreciation at home. + +Only the most nearly connected circles knew that something important +was going on, and even in these circles only a few knew the full +importance of the conferences. Scarcely anything was noticed in public, +which, therefore, occupied itself only the more with its present +favorite, the poet of Arivana, whose incomprehensible behavior made him +so much more interesting in the Residenz. + +Almost immediately after that brilliant triumph of his work he had +withdrawn from all praise and homage, and had gone into "forest +solitude," as Prince Adelsberg laughingly informed all questioners. +Where this solitude was, nobody learned. Egon assured them that he had +given his word not to betray the place of his friend's seclusion, for +he needed rest after all his excitement, but would return in a few +days. Nobody knew that Hartmut was at Rodeck. + + * * * * * + +Within the week, one cold winter morning, the carriage of Herr von +Wallmoden stood at his palace door. It seemed to be preparing for a +long excursion, for servants were carrying furs and travelling rugs to +it, while upstairs in the room where they had just breakfasted, the +Ambassador was taking leave of Colonel Falkenried. + +"Until to-morrow evening, _auf wiedersehen_," he was saying as he shook +hands. "We shall be back by that time without fail, and you will surely +remain a few days longer?" + +"Yes, since the Duke wishes it so particularly," answered the Colonel. +"I have so reported it to Berlin, and my report left on the same train +that carried yours." + +"Yes, I believe they will be satisfied with these reports; but it +has been a hot time. We had no rest all those days. Now, fortunately, +everything is arranged, and I can afford to absent myself for +twenty-four hours to drive to Ostwalden with Adelaide." + +"Ostwalden is the name of your new country home? I remember that you +spoke of it yesterday. Where is it situated?" + +"About two miles from Furstenstein. Schonan drew my attention to it +while we were with him and I looked at the place at that time. It is +rather an extensive possession in the famous Wald, beautifully +situated, but the price was too high at first, which has delayed the +settlement. We have but now come to a final understanding." + +"I believe Ada is not quite satisfied with your selection. She seems to +have something against the vicinity of Furstenstein," interrupted +Falkenried, but the Ambassador only shrugged his shoulders carelessly. + +"A caprice, nothing more. At first Adelaide was quite delighted with +Ostwalden, but later she raised all sorts of objections--but I cannot +pay any attention to that. I shall probably remain there for +considerable periods, as I no longer like to travel far in the summer. +A country seat which is only four hours removed from town is therefore +of great value to me. The castle itself is in rather a dilapidated +condition at present, but something can be made of it. With appropriate +changes and additions it can be made a really superb residence, and I +intend doing that. I shall therefore look it over carefully, so that +the plans can be finished as soon as possible. I have not been there as +yet since I bought it." + +He made his statements with much evident satisfaction over his plans. +Herbert von Wallmoden, who had originally possessed only a limited +fortune, and was compelled to expend it with great care, had suddenly +found it necessary to buy a sumptuous place in town, where he lived +only temporarily, and to have a princely villa for his summer +residence. But he did not find it necessary to consider the wishes +of his wife, whose wealth made it possible to him to play the great +land-owner. + +Falkenried may have had such ideas while listening, but he did not +speak of them. He had turned graver and stonier, if possible, in the +last few days, and if he really asked a question or made a remark +during the conversation, one could see it was but mechanical, and +because he had to say something. + +Only when Adelaide entered, perfectly equipped for the journey, he +arose promptly and offered his arm to lead her to the carriage. He +lifted her in, and Wallmoden, who followed her, leaned once more from +the carriage door. "We shall assuredly return to-morrow. Au revoir." + +Falkenried bowed and stepped back; It was indifferent to him whether he +saw the friend of his youth again. This, too, had lost its interest; +but when he ascended the steps, he murmured half aloud; "Poor Ada, she +deserved a better fate!" + + + + + CHAPTER XL. + + +In the meanwhile everything pursued its usual course at Furstenstein. +Willibald had been there a week. He had arrived two days later than had +been expected, but the injury to his hand was the cause of that. +According to his explanation it had happened through his own +carelessness, and the hand was already rapidly getting well. + +The Chief Forester found that his future son-in-law had changed much +for the better during the short intervening time of his absence, and +that he had become much more earnest and decided; and he remarked to +his daughter with the highest satisfaction: "I believe that Willy is +only now commencing to be human. One notices directly when his lady +mamma is not standing commandingly at his side." + +But Herr von Schonan did not have much time at his disposal to notice +the engaged couple, as he was at present overwhelmed with official +duties. The Duke had ordered several changes in the forest government +to be made according to the suggestions of the Chief Forester, who was +now zealously occupied in executing all of them. + +He saw and heard daily that Antonie and Willy were on the best terms, +so he left them mostly to themselves. + +Meanwhile in the house of the doctor at Waldhofen care and anxiety had +made their appearance. The sickness of the doctor, which at first had +given no cause for fear, suddenly took a dangerous turn, which was +augmented greatly by the age of the patient. He had called persistently +for his granddaughter, and she had been telegraphed for. She had at +once obtained leave of absence--her rôle in Arivana was filled by +another--and she hastened without delay to Waldhofen. + +Antonie showed a touching fidelity to her friend at this time. Day +after day found her at the home of the Volkmars to console and cheer +Marietta, who clung to her grandfather with her whole soul. + +Willibald seemed to be likewise necessary at these consolations, for he +accompanied Toni regularly, and the Chief Forester thought it quite +natural that "the poor little thing" was being consoled and helped to +the best of their ability, more especially as she had suffered so +unmerited an insult in his house, for which he could not to this day +forgive his sister-in-law. + +Finally, after three long, sorrowful days and nights, the doctor's +strong constitution conquered; the danger was passed, and hopes of a +full recovery were entertained. + +Herr von Schonan, who was cordially attached to the doctor, was +heartily glad of it, and so everything seemed to have come into the +best of order. + +But threatening weather arose from the north. Without a word of warning +Frau von Eschenhagen suddenly appeared at Furstenstein. She had not +taken time to stop in town where her brother lived, but came directly +from Burgsdorf, and burst like a hurricane upon her brother-in-law, who +sat in his room very comfortably reading the paper. + +"All good spirits--is it you, Regine?" he cried, amazed. "This is what +I call a surprise; you ought to have sent us word." + +"Where is Willibald?" demanded Regine in a dangerous tone, by way of +answer. "Is he at Furstenstein?" + +"Of course, where else should he be? I believe he has announced his +arrival here to you." + +"Let him be called--immediately." + +"But what is the matter?" asked Schonan, noticing now for the first +time his sister-in-law's excitement. "Is there a fire at Burgsdorf, +or what? I cannot call Willy to you this moment, for he is at +Waldhofen----" + +"Probably at Dr. Volkmar's--and she is probably there, too." + +"Who is 'she'? Toni has, of course, gone with him. They visit that poor +little thing daily--Marietta--who was quite despairing at first. I must +speak a word with you on this point, Regine. How could you offend the +dear girl so deeply, and in my house besides? I only heard of it +afterward, or----" + +A loud, angry laugh interrupted him. Frau von Eschenhagen had thrown +hat and cloak upon a chair and now drew close to her brother-in-law. + +"Are you to reproach me because I tried to avert the evil which you +have brought upon yourself? Of course you have always been blind and +would never listen to my warnings--now it is too late." + +"I believe you are not in your right mind, Regine," said the Forester, +who really did not know what to think of it all. "Will you be so kind +as to tell me what you mean?" + +Regine drew forth a newspaper and handed it to him, pointing with her +finger to a paragraph. + +"Read!" + +Schonan obeyed, and now his face also grew red in angry surprise. The +article, which was dated from the South German Residenz, read as +follows: + + +"We have just learned that a duel with pistols took place last Monday, +very early in the morning, in a remote part of our park. The opponents +were a well-known resident, Count W--, and a young North German +landowner, W--v. E--, who is visiting his relative here--a high and +distinguished diplomat. The cause of the duel is reported to be a +member of our Court Theatre, a young singer who bears the best of +reputations. Count W-- was injured in the shoulder. Herr v. E-- carried +off a slight wound in the hand, and departed immediately." + +"Thunder and lightning!" burst forth the Chief Forester, violently. +"The betrothed of my Toni has a duel for Marietta's sake! So this is +the cause of the injured hand which he brought with him! This is +charming, indeed! What else do you know about it, Regine? My paper did +not notice it." + +"But mine did; it was copied from one of your papers, as you see. I +read it yesterday and hastened here at once. I did not even stop to see +Herbert, who cannot have known anything about it, or he would have +notified me." + +"Herbert will be here at noon," said Schonan, throwing the paper +angrily upon the table. "He is at Ostwalden with Adelaide, and has +written that he will return by Furstenstein and stop over a few hours. +Perhaps he is coming on this account, but that does not change anything +in the matter. Has that boy--that Willibald--gone crazy?" + +"Yes, that he has," assented Frau von Eschenhagen in like anger. "You +made fun of me, Moritz, when I exhorted you not to let your child +associate with an actress. Indeed, I had no idea that matters could +take such a turn until the moment I discovered that Willy--that my +son--was in love with Marietta Volkmar. I snatched him instantly from +the danger and returned to Burgsdorf. This was the reason of our sudden +departure, which I kept from you, because I considered Willy's +condition as a passing fancy. The boy seemed to have returned to his +senses completely. I would not otherwise have permitted him this +journey; and to be surer still, I placed him under the protection of my +brother. He cannot have been more than three or four days in town, and +now we must live to see this!" + +Quite exhausted, she threw herself into an arm-chair. The Chief +Forester began to stride about the room vehemently. "And this is not +the worst yet," he cried. "The worst is the farce which the boy is +playing with his betrothed here. My child goes to Waldhofen day after +day, consoling and helping wherever she can, and the Herr Willy always +runs along, and uses the opportunity as a rendezvous. That is too +outrageous! You have raised something nice in that son, Regine." + +"Do you think I make excuses for him?" demanded Regine. "He shall +answer to us both--I have come for that. He shall learn to know me." + +She lifted her hand as if making a vow, and Schonan, who was still +racing through the room, repeated angrily: "Yes, he shall learn to know +us." + +Then and there the door opened, and the betrayed bride-elect entered +into this wild excitement--calm and serene as usual, and saying in the +most innocent way: "I have just heard of your arrival, dear aunt; you +are very welcome." + +She received no answer, but from both sides instead sounded the +question: "Where is Willibald?" + +"He will be here directly; he has gone to the castle gardener for a few +moments, as he did not know of his mother's arrival." + +"To the gardener! Perhaps to get roses as before," burst forth Frau von +Eschenhagen; but the Chief Forester opened his arms and cried in +pathetic tones: + +"My child! my poor betrayed child! Come to me come into your father's +arms." + +He attempted to draw his daughter to his heart, but Regine came upon +the other side and also attempted to draw her to her breast, crying out +in just as pathetic tones: "Compose yourself, Toni. An awful blow +confronts you, but you must bear it. You must show your betrothed that +he and his betrayal are an abomination to your deepest soul." + +This stormy sympathy was rather startling, but fortunately Antonie had +strong nerves. So she freed herself from the double embrace, stepped +back, and said with calm decision: "I do not think it so. I begin only +now to really like Willy." + +"So much the worse," said Schonan. "Poor child, you do not know yet; +you have no idea of anything! Your betrothed has had a duel for +another's sake." + +"I know that, papa." + +"For Marietta's sake," explained Frau von Eschenhagen. + +"I know it, dear aunt." + +"But he loves Marietta!" cried both in accord. + +"I know that, too," replied Toni, with superior mien. "I have known it +for a week." + +The effect of this explanation was so crushing that the two furious +people became silent and looked at each other in consternation. Toni +continued with imperturbable composure: + +"Willy told me everything directly upon his arrival. He spoke so +beautifully and truly that I wept with emotion. At the same time a +letter arrived from Marietta, in which she begged my pardon, and that +was still more touching. So nothing was left to me but to give back to +Willy his promise and freedom." + +"Without asking us?" exclaimed Regine. + +"The asking would not have been of any use here," said Toni, calmly, +"for I could not marry a man who tells me that he loves another. We +have therefore quietly dissolved our engagement." + +"So? And I learn it only now? You have become very independent +suddenly," cried her father angrily. + +"Willy intended to speak to you the next day, papa, but he could not +have remained here any longer after such an explanation, and just then +occurred the serious illness of Dr. Volkmar and Marietta's arrival. She +was in despair poor Marietta! and Willy's heart almost broke at the +thought of leaving her alone in this anxiety and of going away without +knowing what turn the illness would take; so I proposed to him to keep +quiet for the present, until the danger should be past; but I went with +him to Waldhofen daily, so that he could see and console Marietta. They +have been so grateful to me--those two. They have called me the +guardian angel of their love." + +The young lady seemed to find this very touching, too, for she carried +her handkerchief to her eyes. + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood stiff and rigid as a statue, but Schonan +folded his hands and said with a resigned sigh: "May God bless your +kindness, my child! but such a thing has never happened before. And you +have arranged the affair very smoothly, I must confess. You have sat +and looked quietly on while your betrothed made love to another girl." + +Antonie shook her head impatiently. Apparently she liked the rôle of +guardian angel, and found her position one she could fill without any +great exertion, since her affection for her betrothed had always been a +very cool one. + +"There was no sign of love-making, as the doctor was too seriously +ill," she returned. "Marietta cried incessantly and we had plenty to do +to console her. Now you see and understand that I am not at all +betrayed, and that Willy has acted openly and honestly. I asked him +myself to be silent to you, and, in fact, the matter concerns us +only----" + +"Do you think so? It is therefore of no concern to us?" interrupted the +Chief Forester furiously. + +"No, papa. Willy is of the opinion that we need not mind our parents in +this matter at all." + +"What does Willibald mean?" demanded Frau von Eschenhagen, who regained +her speech at this unheard-of assertion. + +"That each must love the other before marrying, and he is right," +declared Toni, with unusual vivacity. "It was not in our engagement at +all--in fact, we were not even consulted--but I shall not permit it +another time. I see now what it means for two people to love each other +with all their heart, and how remarkably Willy has changed through it. +I, too, want to be loved as Marietta is loved, and if I do not find a +man who loves me exactly like that--then I shall not marry at all." + +And after this remark Fraulein Antonie walked out of the room with much +decision and a highly elevated head, leaving father and aunt in an +indescribable condition. + +The Chief Forester was the first to regain composure, but suppressed +vexation was still in his voice as he turned to his sister-in-law and +said: "Your boy has managed nicely, I must confess, Regine. Now Toni +wants to be loved also, and begins to get romantic ideas in her head, +and Willy seems to be far gone already in that respect. I actually +believe he has managed to make this second proposal by himself." + +Frau von Eschenhagen paid no attention to this bitter hint of her +interference at the former time. Her face bore an expression which +promised nothing good. + +"You seem to look upon this affair from a comic standpoint," she said. +"I take it differently." + +"That will not help you any," returned Schonan. "When such a model son +commences to rebel, the affair is usually hopeless, especially when he +is in love. But I am curious to know how Willy behaves himself as a +lover--it must be a remarkable sight!" + + + + + CHAPTER XLI. + + +Herr von Schonan's curiosity was to be immediately satisfied, for Willy +now appeared. He had heard of the arrival of his mother and was +therefore prepared for anything, for that there must be something +especial to bring her to Furstenstein so unexpectedly, he knew. But the +young lord did not shrink back this time as he did two months ago, when +he timidly concealed the rose in his pocket. His bearing betrayed that +he was determined to take up the unavoidable contest. + +"Here is your mother, Willy," commenced the Chief Forester. "I suppose +you are very much surprised to see her here?" + +"No, uncle, I am not," was the answer, but the young man made no +attempt to approach his mother, for she stood there like a threatening +storm cloud, and her voice rumbled like distant thunder as she said: +"So you know why I have come?" + +"I at least guess it, mamma, even if I cannot understand how you have +heard----" + +"The papers have told all--there it lies," interrupted Frau von +Eschenhagen, pointing to the table, "and, besides, Toni has told us +everything--do you hear? everything!" + +She pronounced this last word in an annihilating tone. Willy was not +moved from his composure, but replied tranquilly: + +"Well, I shall not have to tell you, then. I should have spoken to +uncle to-day about it." + +This was too much. The storm cloud burst now with thunder and +lightning; it loaded and discharged with such vehemence over the head +of the young lord that really nothing seemed left for him to do but to +disappear quickly under the ground, which could not bear a person of +his kind any longer. + +But he did not disappear; he only bowed his head to the storm, and when +it finally subsided--for Frau Regine had necessarily to draw breath +some time--he drew himself up and said: "Mamma, please let me talk." + +"You want to talk? that is remarkable," declared Schonan, who was not +used to such efforts from his daughter's betrothed; but Willibald +actually began, hesitatingly and uncertainly at first, but he gradually +acquired firmness in speech and bearing. + +"I am sorry that I have to offend you, but it could not be helped. I am +just as innocent about the duel as Marietta is. She was being followed +by an impertinent fellow persistently. I protected her and chastised +the offender, who sent me a challenge, which I never could nor would +decline. I have to beg Toni's pardon alone for loving Marietta, and I +did that immediately upon my arrival. She heard everything and gave me +back my pledge. Indeed, we have broken our engagement much more +independently than we formed it." + +"Oh, ho, is that meant for us?" cried the Forester angrily. "We did not +force you--both of you could have said no if you had wished." + +"Well, we do that now as a supplement," returned Willibald, so quickly +that Schonan looked at him amazed. "Toni came to the same conclusion +that custom alone is not sufficient for marriage, and if one has +learned to know happiness, one wants to possess it also." + +Fran von Eschenhagen, who had not yet quite regained her breath, +started at these words as if bitten by a snake. It had never entered +her mind that a second engagement would follow the first, now broken. +She had never contemplated this most awful of possibilities. + +"Possess it," she repeated. "What do you wish to possess? Does that +mean perhaps that you want to marry this Marietta--this creature----" + +"Mamma, I beg you to speak in a different tone of my future wife," her +son interrupted her, so gravely and decidedly that the angry mother +stopped indeed. "Toni has given me freedom; therefore there is no wrong +in my love for Marietta, and Marietta's reputation is blameless--I am +convinced of that. Whoever hurts or offends her has to answer to me, +even if it should be my own mother." + +"Hear, hear! the boy is coming out," murmured the Chief Forester, with +whom the sense of justice overpowered his vexation, but Frau von +Eschenhagen was far from listening to justice. + +She had thought to crush her son with her appearance, and now he +offered her resistance in this never before heard of manner. + +His manly behavior tried her most, as she recognized by it how deep and +powerful was the feeling which could change him so completely. + +"I will spare you the enforcement of it toward your mother," she said +with boundless bitterness. "You are of age, and master of Burgsdorf. I +cannot prevent you, but if you really bring this Marietta Volkmar there +as your wife--then I leave." + +This threat did not miss its aim. Willibald started and drew back. + +"Mamma, you speak in anger." + +"I speak in deepest earnestness. As soon as an actress enters the house +where I have lived and worked for thirty years--where I had hoped to +lay my head down for its final rest--I shall leave the house forever. +She may reign there then. You have the choice between her and your +mother." + +"But, Regine, do not force it to such a conclusion," Schonan tried to +pacify her. "You torture the poor boy with this cruel 'either--or.'" + +Regine did not listen to the exhortation. She stood there white to the +lips, her eyes immovably fixed upon her son, and she repeated +unyieldingly: + +"Decide for yourself--this girl or me." + +Willibald had also turned pale, and his lips quivered painfully and +bitterly as he said in a low tone: + +"That's hard, mamma; you know how I love you, and how you hurt me with +your going away; but if you really are so cruel as to force me to +choose, well then"--he straightened himself with decision--"then I +choose my betrothed." + +"Bravo!" cried the Chief Forester, forgetting entirely that he was one +of the offended ones. "Willy, I feel like Toni. I begin only now to +really like you. I am positively sorry now that you will not be my +son-in-law." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had not expected such a turn of affairs. She had +trusted in her old power, which she now saw fall into fragments, but +she was not the woman to give in. She would not have bent her obstinate +will even if her life had depended upon it. + +"Good! then we have finished with each other," she said curtly, and +turned to go without heeding her brother-in-law, who followed her, +trying to pacify her; but before they reached the door it was opened +and a servant entered with a hasty announcement: + +"The steward of Rodeck is outside and begs----" + +"I have no time now," stormed the impulsive Schonan. "Tell Stadinger I +cannot speak with him at present. I have important family affairs----" + +He did not finish, for Stadinger already stood upon the threshold, +having followed the servant closely, and said in a peculiarly +suppressed tone: "I come about a family affair also, Herr Chief +Forester, but it is a sad one. I cannot wait, but must speak to you +immediately." + +"But what is it?" asked Schonan, mystified. "Has something happened? +The Prince is not at Rodeck so far as I know." + +"No, mein Herr. His Highness is in town, but Herr Rojanow is there and +sends me. He begs you and Herr von Eschenhagen to come to Rodeck +immediately, and you, gracious lady"--he glanced at Frau von +Eschenhagen, whom he knew from her former visits to Furstenstein--"you +would do well to come likewise." + +"But why? What has happened?" cried Schonan, now really disturbed. + +The old man hesitated; he had apparently been charged to break the news +gradually. Finally he said: "His Excellency, Herr von Wallmoden, is at +the castle, and the Frau Baroness also." + +"My brother!" interrupted Regine with apprehension. + +"Yes, gracious lady. His Excellency fell out of the carriage, and now +he lies there unconscious, which means to the physician we called in +great haste that the matter is dangerous." + +"In God's name! we must go at once, Moritz," cried the frightened lady. + +Herr von Schonan had already grasped the bell rope and pulled it. + +"The carriage as quick as possible!" he cried to the servant. "How did +it happen, Stadinger? Tell us what you know." + +"The Herr Baron was coming from Ostwalden with the gracious lady, +intending to come to Furstenstein," responded Stadinger. "The road, you +know, leads through the Rodeck tract not far from the castle. Our +Forester, who was with some of his subordinates in the Wald, fired a +few shots, and a wounded deer dashed across the road in wild flight +just by the carriage. The horses took fright and ran--the driver could +not hold them. The two Foresters who saw it ran after them. They heard +the Frau Baroness beg her husband: 'Remain seated. Herbert! for God's +sake, no, do not jump,' but His Excellency seemed to have lost his head +entirely. He tore the door open and jumped. At the wild pace they were +going he fell, of course, with full force, and against a tree. The +driver succeeded in bringing his horses to a standstill not far at a +bend of the road. The Frau Baroness, who was not hurt, hastened to the +place of misfortune as quickly as possible, and she found the poor +gentleman there seriously injured and unconscious. The Forester's +people carried him to Rodeck, which was near by. Herr Rojanow has +looked after everything that could be done at the moment, and now he +sends me to bring you the news." + +It was natural that under the pressure of this heart-rending news the +recent bitter family quarrel should cease instantly. In great haste +they made ready for departure. Antonie was called and informed, and as +soon as the carriage drove up the Chief Forester and his sister-in-law +hastened downstairs. + +Willibald, who followed with Stadinger, detained him on the steps for a +moment and asked in a low tone: "Has the doctor given his opinion? Do +you know anything more about it?" + +The old man nodded sadly, and answered also in low tones: "I stood near +when Herr Rojanow asked him in the ante-room. There is no hope--the +poor Excellency will not live through the day." + + + + + CHAPTER XLII. + + +The little hunting castle of Rodeck, which lay so cold and lonely in +the first December snowy days, had seldom seen such excitement as +to-day. + +It was about noon when the two Foresters, whose firing was the innocent +cause of the disaster, brought the injured Ambassador to the house. +They had known that the longer march to Furstenstein was impossible, so +they turned toward Rodeck, which lay scarcely a quarter of an hour's +walk from the place of the accident. + +Hartmut Rojanow, who was at the castle, was immediately called, and had +made the necessary arrangements with quick decision. The rooms which +Prince Adelsberg usually occupied were put at the disposal of the +Baroness, and a messenger was despatched on horseback for the nearest +physician, who, fortunately, was easy to reach. + +When the doctor's statement allowed no hope, Stadinger was sent to +Furstenstein to summon the relatives, who soon arrived, but only to +find Herr von Wallmoden dying. He did not regain the consciousness +which he had lost in that awful fall; he lay there immovable, +recognizing no one; and when the day drew to a close all was over. + +The Chief Forester, with Willibald, returned to Furstenstein toward +night. He had sent a telegram before leaving Furstenstein, to notify +the Embassy of the sad accident which had befallen its chief, and now +had to follow it with the announcement of his death. + +Frau von Eschenhagen had remained at Rodeck with her brother's widow. +To-morrow preparations would be made to carry the body to the Residenz, +and the two ladies wished to remain at his side until then. + +Adelaide, who had proved so courageous during the danger, and who had +done her full duty at the bedside of her husband, seemed, now that this +duty was over, to give way entirely under the sudden and prostrating +blow. She was stunned and dazed by the awful accident. + + * * * * * + +At the window of his room, which was in an upper story, stood Hartmut, +gazing out into the desolate forest, which glittered so ghostly in the +dim starlight. Yesterday had brought the first snow, and now everything +was stiff in its cold embrace. The large lawn in front of the castle +was deeply covered; the trees bent heavily under their white burden, +and the broad branches of the firs were bowed to the ground. + +Up there in the dark night sky, star after star shone in calm splendor, +and far off on the northern horizon dawned a slight rosy light, like +the first greeting of the dawn. And yet it was night cold, icy cold, +winter night, in which as yet no ray of the coming day could fall. + +Hartmut's eyes were riveted upon the mysterious glow. In his heart, +too, it was dark, and yet something dawned there, fair and low, +like the dawn of the morn. He had not seen Adelaide von Wallmoden +since that fatal hour upon the forest height, until he met her +to-day at the side of her husband, who had been borne, bleeding and +unconscious--dying--into the castle. + +This sight forced back every remembrance, and demanded assistance to +the extent of his power. He had not entered the death chamber, and had +only received the doctor's report; neither had he appeared upon Frau +von Eschenhagen's arrival, but later on had spoken with the Chief +Forester and Willibald. Now everything was decided. Herbert von +Wallmoden was no longer among the living, and his wife was a widow--was +free. + +A deep breath agitated Hartmut's breast at the thought, and yet nothing +joyful was in it, although his feelings had undergone a change since +the hour he ventured his highest stake and--lost. + +But that hour had proved to him the deep abyss which was open between +them even now that the bond of Adelaide's marriage was broken. She had +"shuddered" before the man who believed in nothing--to whom nothing was +sacred, and he was the same man he had been then. + +He had offered an apology without words in the creation of the added +portion of Arivana which bore her name, but Ada had floated back to the +heights from which she had come with her cry of warning, and mankind, +with their glowing hate and love, remained upon earth. + +Hartmut Rojanow could not force the hot, wild blood which flowed in his +veins into a quiet movement; he could not bow to a life full of strict +obedience and duty--neither did he wish to. For what had the genius +which won his way everywhere been given him, if it could not lift him +over the duties and barriers of every-day life? + +And yet he knew that those large, blue eyes pointed inexorably to the +hated path--that would never do. + +The red glimmer over the forest yonder had turned darker and risen +higher. It looked like the reflection of a powerful fire; but that +calm, steady light came from no fire. Immovable it stood in the north; +mysterious, high, and far removed--an aurora in approaching splendor. + +The rolling of a carriage coming near in great haste broke Hartmut from +his revery. It was past nine o'clock; who could arrive at such an hour? +Perhaps it was the second physician who had been sent for in the +afternoon, but who had been away from home; perhaps some one from +Ostwalden, where the news may have already been carried. + +Now the carriage turned the corner of the lawn; the wheels crunched +upon the hard, frozen ground, and the vehicle reached the main entrance +of the castle. + +Rojanow, who to-day represented the master of the house, left his room +and started to meet the new arrival. He had reached the stairs which +led down to the entrance hall, and put his foot upon the first step, +when he suddenly shuddered and remained rooted to the spot. + +Down there a voice spoke which he had not heard for ten long years; it +was suppressed, and yet he recognized it at the first moment. + +"I come from the Embassy. We received a dispatch this afternoon, and I +took the first train to hasten here. How is he? Can I see Herr von +Wallmoden?" + +Stadinger, who had received the newcomer, replied in such low tones +that the import of his words was lost to Hartmut, but the stranger +asked hastily: "I do not come too late?" + +"Yes, mein Herr. Herr von Wallmoden died this afternoon." + +A short pause followed, then the stranger said, huskily but firmly: +"Lead me to the widow--announce Colonel von Falkenried." + +Stadinger turned to go, followed by a tall figure in a military cloak, +of which one could see only the outlines in the dimly-lighted hall. + +The two figures had long ago disappeared in the lower rooms, and still +Hartmut stood leaning on the baluster, looking downward. Only when +Stadinger returned alone did he collect himself and retire to his room. + +Here he walked restlessly for a quarter of an hour. It was a hard, +silent conflict which he waged. He had never been able to bend his +pride; had never humbled himself, but he had to bow low before his +deeply offended father--he knew that. But again a burning, absorbing +longing overcame him, becoming all-powerful and finally conquering. He +drew himself up resolutely. + +"No, I will not shrink like a coward now. We are under one roof; the +same walls surround us; now it shall be ventured. He is my father and I +am his son." + + + + + CHAPTER XLIII. + + +The castle clock struck twelve in slow, hollow strokes. Deathlike +stillness lay over the forest outside, and it was as still in the house +where a corpse lay. The steward and servants had retired, as had Frau +von Eschenhagen. Exhausted nature demanded its due. She had made the +long, tedious journey from Burgsdorf without stop, and had lived +through the hard, trying day. + +Only a few windows were dimly lighted; they belonged to the rooms which +had been appointed to Frau von Wallmoden and Colonel Falkenried, which +lay near together, separated only by an ante-room. + +Falkenried intended to accompany the widow back to the Residenz on the +morrow. He had spoken with her and Regine, and had stood for a long +time beside the body of his friend, who only yesterday had called to +him so confidently, "_auf wiedersehen_"--who had been so full of his +projects and plans for his future and his newly acquired possessions. +Now all this had come to an end. Cold and stiff he lay upon his bier, +and cold and gloomy Falkenried now stood at the window of his room. +Even this awful accident was not able to shake his stony composure, for +he had long ago forgotten to consider death a misfortune. _Life_ was +hard--but not death. + +He looked silently out into the winter night and he, too, saw the +ghostly glimmer which lighted the darkness out there. Dark-red it now +glowed upon the distant horizon, and the whole of the northern sky +seemed penetrated by invisible flames. + +Redlike, as through a purple veil, twinkled the stars. Now a few +distant rays shot up, growing more numerous, and rising always higher +to the zenith. + +Beneath this flaming sky the snow-covered world lay cold and white. The +aurora was shining in the fulness of its splendor! + +Falkenried was so lost in the glory of the sight that he did not hear +the opening and closing of the door of the ante-room. Carefully the +partly closed door of his own room was now opened, but the one entering +did not bring himself into view, but remained motionless upon the +threshold. + +Colonel Falkenried still stood at the window half-averted, but the +flickering light of the candles which burned upon the table lighted his +face distinctly; the strong, deep lines of the features, and the +gloomy, careworn brow beneath the white hair. + +Hartmut shivered involuntarily; he had not anticipated such a deep and +awful change. The man standing in his prime, looked aged, and who had +brought this premature age upon him? + +A few moments passed in this deep silence, then a voice vibrated +through the room half-audible, beseeching, and full of a tenderness +suppressed with difficulty--a single word pregnant with meaning. + +"Father!" + +Falkenried started as if a spirit voice had reached his ear. Slowly he +turned as if really believing he heard a spirit-haunting voice. + +Hartmut quickly approached a few steps, then stood still. + +"Father, it is I--I come----" + +He stopped short, for now he met his father's eyes; those eyes which he +had feared so much, and what they now expressed robbed him of the +courage to speak further. He bowed his head in silence. + +Every drop of blood seemed to have left the face of Colonel Falkenried. +He had not known--he had no idea that his son was under the same roof +with him; the meeting found him totally unprepared, but it did not tear +from him one exclamation, nor sign of anger or weakness. Rigid and mute +he stood there and looked upon him who had once been his all. At last +he raised his hand and pointed to the door. + +"Go!" + +"Father, listen to me----" + +"Go, I say." The command now sounded threatening. + +"No, I shall not go!" cried Hartmut passionately. "I know that +reconciliation with you depends upon this hour. I have offended +you--how deeply and seriously I feel only now--but I was a boy of +seventeen, and it was my mother whom I followed. Think of that, father, +and pardon me--grant pardon to your son." + +"You are the son of the woman whose name you bear--not mine!" said the +Colonel with cutting scorn. "A Falkenried has no son without honor." + +Hartmut was about to burst forth at this awful word; the blood rose hot +and wild to his brow, but he looked upon that other brow beneath the +hair bleached like snow, and with superhuman effort controlled himself. + +The two believed themselves alone during this interview in the +stillness of the night--surely everything was sleeping in the castle. +They had no idea that a witness was there. + +Adelaide von Wallmoden had not retired to rest. She knew that she could +find no sleep after this day which had so suddenly and disastrously +made her a widow. Dressed still in the dark traveling suit which she +had worn on the unfortunate drive, she sat in her room, when suddenly +Colonel Falkenried's voice reached her ear. + +With whom could he be speaking at such an hour? Was he not a total +stranger here? And the voice sounded so strangely hollow and +threatening. + +She arose in alarm and entered the ante-room which separated the two +sleeping apartments--for only a moment, she thought--only to see +that nothing had happened; then she heard another voice which she +knew--heard the word "Father," and like lightning the truth flashed +upon her, which the next words confirmed. As if paralyzed, she remained +standing there, every word reaching her through the partly closed door. + +"You make this hour hard for me," said Hartmut with painfully sustained +composure. "Be it so--I have not expected it otherwise. Wallmoden has +told you everything. I might have known it, but then he could not keep +from you what I have sought and won. I bring to you the laurel of the +poet, father--the first laurel which has come to me. Learn to know my +work; let it speak to you, then you will feel that its creator could +not live and breathe in the constraint of a vocation which kills every +poetical emotion; then you will forget the unfortunate error of the +boy." + +Here again it was Hartmut Rojanow who spoke thus with his overweening +self-consciousness and pride, which did not leave him even in this +hour; the poet of Arivana, for whom there existed no duties--no +barriers; but he encountered a rock here, upon which he shattered. + +"The boy's error!" repeated Falkenried, just as harshly as before. +"Yes, they called it so to make it possible for me to remain in the +army. I name it differently, and so does every one of my comrades. You +were to have been an ensign. In a few weeks it would have been +desertion of the standard by law also. I have never considered it +anything else. You had been raised in the strict discipline of honor of +our caste, and knew what you did, for you were no longer a boy. _He who +flees secretly from the military service which he owes his fatherland +is a deserter; he who breaks a vow--a given word--is without honor. You +did both!_ But of course you and your kind pass over such things +easily." + +Hartmut clenched his teeth; his whole body trembled at these merciless +words, and his voice sounded hollow, choked, as he answered: + +"Enough, father. I cannot bear it. I wished to bow before you--wished +to submit--but you yourself drive me from you. This is the same cruel +sternness with which you drove my mother from you. I know it from her +own lips. Whatever her later life was, and however through it my own +has developed--this severity alone has been the cause of it." + +The Colonel folded his arms, and an expression of unspeakable disdain +quivered around his mouth. + +"From her own lips you know? Possibly. No woman has sunk so deeply but +she would try to veil such a truth from her son. I did not wish to +pollute your ears at that time with this truth, for you were innocent +and pure. Now you will probably understand me when I tell you that the +separation was a demand of honor. The man who stained my honor fell by +my bullet, and she who betrayed me--I pushed from me." + +Hartmut became white as death at this disclosure. He had never thought +that. He had fully believed that only the harshness which lay in his +father's character had caused the separation. The remembrance of his +mother fell lower and lower; he had loved her just as ardently as she +had loved him, even when he felt at times that she was his ruin. + +"I wished to protect you from the poisonous breath of this presence and +influence," continued Falkenried. "Fool that I was! You were lost to me +even without the coming of your mother. You bear her features; it is +her blood that courses through your veins, and it would have demanded +its dominion sooner or later. You would have become anyway what you are +now--a homeless adventurer, who does not recognize his fatherland and +his honor." + +"This is too much!" burst forth Hartmut wildly. "I shall not permit +myself to be so abused, even by you. I see now that no reconciliation +between us is possible. I go, but the world will judge differently from +you. It has already crowned my first work, and I shall force from it +the appreciation which my own father keeps from me." + +The Colonel looked at his son--something awful was in the glance; then +he said icily and slowly, emphasizing each word: "Then take care also +that the world does not learn that the 'crowned poet' did a spy's +service two years ago at Paris." + +Hartmut shrank as if hit by a bullet. + +"I? In Paris? Are you out of your senses?" + +Falkenried shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. + +"Acting besides? Do not trouble yourself--I know all. Wallmoden proved +to me what rôle Zalika Rojanow and her son played at Paris. I know the +origin of the means by which they continued the life they were +accustomed to when their wealth was lost. They were very much sought +after by the commissioners, for they were exceedingly apt, and they who +bought their services received them." + +Hartmut stood as if lifeless. So this was the awful solution of the +problem which Wallmoden had given him that night in his hint. He had +not understood its meaning then, but sought the solution in another +direction. This was it, then, which his mother kept from him--from +which she had diverted him with caresses and coaxings whenever he +put a suspicious question. She had sunk to the last, most disgraceful +lot--and her son was branded with her. + +The silence which now ensued was awful; it lasted for minutes, and when +Hartmut finally spoke again his voice had lost its sound--the words +came brokenly, almost inaudibly, from his lips: + +"And you believe--that I--that I knew about this?" + +"Yes," said the Colonel, coldly and firmly. + +"Father, you cannot--must not do that. The punishment would be too +terrible. You must believe me when I tell you that I had no idea +of this disgrace--that I believed a part of our wealth had been +saved--that--you will believe me, father?" + +"No." Falkenried remained rigid and unbending as before. + +Beside himself with anguish, Hartmut fell upon his knees. + +"Father, before everything that is sacred to you in heaven or in +earth--oh, do not look at me so terribly. You drive me frantic with +that look! Father, I give you my word of honor----" + +An awful, wild laugh from his father interrupted him. + +"Your word of honor as at that time at Burgsdorf. Get up--abandon +acting; you do not deceive me by it. You went from me with a breaking +of your word--_you return with a lie_. Go your own way--I go mine. Only +one thing I request of you--command you. Do not dare to use the name of +Falkenried by the side of the branded one of Rojanow. Never let the +world know who you are. When that happens my blood will be upon you, +for then--I end with life!" + +With a loud cry Hartmut sprang to his feet and approached his father, +but Falkenried repelled him by a commanding gesture. + +"Do you think that I still love life? I have borne it because I had +to--perhaps I considered it my duty; but there is one point where this +duty ends; you know it now--act accordingly." + +He turned his back upon his son and walked to the window. Hartmut did +not speak another word. Mutely he turned to go. + +The ante-room was not lighted, yet it was filled with the glow +of the blazing skies outside, and in this glow stood a woman--deathly +pale--with eyes fixed with an indescribable expression upon the one +approaching. + +He glanced up and a single look showed him that she knew all. This was +the last. He had received his mortal humiliation before the woman he +loved--had been thrown into the dust before her! + +Hartmut did not know how he left the castle, how he reached the open +air. He only felt that he should stifle in those walls--that he was +driven forth with fury and power. He found himself at last under a fir +tree, which bowed its snow-covered limbs over him. It was night in the +forest--cold, icy winter night, but up there in the sky the mysterious +light shone on and on with purple power, with quivering rays, which +united at the zenith into a crown. + + + + + CHAPTER XLIV. + + +It was summer again. July had commenced, and in the hot, sun-parched +days the forest mountains beckoned irresistibly with their cool +shadows, and the green, airy splendor of their dales and heights. + +Ostwalden, the estate which Herbert von Wallmoden had purchased +immediately before his death, and had not been permitted to live in for +even one summer, had since then rested in solitude. But a few days ago +the young widow had arrived there in company with her sister-in-law, +Frau von Eschenhagen. + +Adelaide had left the South German Residenz shortly after the death of +her husband and returned home with her brother, who had hastened to her +side at the news of her husband's death. Her short married life had +lasted but eight months, and now the wife, not yet twenty years old, +wore the widow's veil. + +Regine had been easily persuaded to accompany her sister-in-law. The +once absolute mistress of Burgsdorf had stood to her "either--or," and +as Willibald proved just as obstinate, she had made her threat true, +and had moved to town even during the first period of mourning for her +brother. + +But Frau von Eschenhagen deceived herself if she thought to gain her +end by this last move. She had hoped that her son would not let it come +to a real separation, but it was in vain that she let him feel the full +bitterness of the separation. The young master had had full opportunity +to prove that his newly awakened independence and love were not mere +momentary feelings. + +He tried everything to make his mother reconsider, but when he did not +succeed, he showed a like stubbornness, and mother and son had not seen +each other for months. + +However, his engagement with Marietta had not been made public as yet. +He believed he owed his former fiancée and her father too much respect +to allow a second betrothal to follow too soon upon the heels of the +first. Besides, Marietta was bound by contract to the theatre for fully +six months, and as her betrothal was to remain a secret for the +present, she could not obtain an earlier release. Only now had the +young girl returned to her grandfather at Waldhofen, where Willibald +was also expected. + +Of course Frau von Eschenhagen knew nothing about this or she would +hardly have accepted the invitation which brought her into the +neighborhood. + +The day had been so warm and sunny that only late afternoon brought +cooler air, but the road to Ostwalden was mostly shady, as it lay +through the forests of Rodeck. + +Two horsemen were now on this road; one in gray hunting jacket and +hat--the Chief Forester, von Schonan; the other a slender, youthful +form clad in a distinguished looking summer suit--Prince Adelsberg. +They had met by chance and learned that both were bound for the same, +destination. + +"I should not have dreamed of meeting you here, Your Highness," said +Schonan. "It was said that you would not visit Rodeck at all this +summer, and Stadinger, with whom I spoke the day before yesterday, did +not know a syllable of your near arrival." + +"No; and he cried Ach! and Weh! when I fell upon the house so +unexpectedly," replied Egon. "It would not have needed much to make him +show me from my own door, because I followed my dispatch instantly, and +nothing was prepared for me. But the heat at Ostend was well-nigh +unbearable. I could not stand the glowing sands of the beach any +longer, and was overcome by an irrepressible longing for my cool, quiet +forest nook. God be thanked that I have gotten away from the heat and +fuss of a watering place!" + +His Highness was pleased not to tell the truth in this case. He had +hastened here from the beach of the North Sea to enjoy a certain +"neighborhood" of which he happened to hear. Stadinger had mentioned in +a report, in which he asked for permission to make some changes at +Rodeck, that these same arrangements had already been made at +Ostwalden, where Frau von Wallmoden dwelt at present. + +To his surprise, instead of the expected permission, his young master +arrived in person after three days. The Prince had not known anything +better after this news than to throw over all his summer plans. + +The Chief Forester did not seem to believe the pretext, for he remarked +somewhat sarcastically: "It surprises me, indeed then, that our Court +stays at Ostend so long. The Duke and Duchess are there; also Princess +Sophie, with a niece--a relative of her late husband, I hear." + +"Yes, a niece." Egon turned suddenly and looked at the speaker. "Herr +Chief Forester, you, too, want to deliver congratulations to me--I see +it in your face--but if you do that I shall challenge you instantly +here in the midst of the forest." + +"Well, Your Highness, I do not intend to bring a duel upon myself," +laughed Schonan, "but the newspapers already speak quite openly of an +approaching or already consummated engagement, which suits the wishes +of the princely ladies." + +"My most gracious aunts wish many things," said Egon coolly. "Their +most obedient nephew, though, is often of a different opinion, alas; +and it has been the case this time also. I went to Ostend upon the +invitation of the Duke, which I could not refuse, but the air did not +agree with me at all, and I cannot risk my health so recklessly. I felt +the first symptoms of sunstroke, which would certainly have taken me +off, so I decided, then, in good time----" + +"To take yourself off," finished Schonan. "This is like Your Highness, +but now you can count upon a three-fold displeasure." + +"Possibly. I shall bear it in solitude and self-banishment. I intend, +besides"--here the young Prince drew a very solemn face--"to give all +my attention this summer to my estates--especially Rodeck. A change in +the building shall be made there--Stadinger has already written me +about it, but I considered a personal surveillance necessary." + +"On account of the chimneys?" asked Schonan dryly. "Stadinger thought +that as the chimneys smoked last winter, he would like to have new ones +built." + +"What does Stadinger know about it?" cried Egon, vexed that his old +"Waldgeist" had again gotten ahead of him with his most uncomfortable +love for truth. "I have very grand plans for beautifying---- Ah, here +we are!" + +He started his horse into a quicker gait and the Chief Forester +followed his example, for Ostwalden indeed lay before them. + +The extensive changes with which the late Wallmoden had intended to +convert Ostwalden into a splendid show place had not been made; but the +old ivy-covered castle, with its two side turrets, and the shady, +although somewhat neglected park, possessed a picturesque charm. It was +understood that the present mistress intended neither changes nor a +sale of the property, for to the heiress of the Stahlberg wealth a +villa more or less was of no consequence. + +Upon their arrival the gentlemen learned that Frau von Wallmoden was in +the park; but Frau von Eschenhagen was in her room. The Prince allowed +himself to be announced to the lady of the house, while the Chief +Forester first looked up his sister-in-law, whom he had not seen since +the previous winter. He went to her apartments and entered without more +ado. + +"Here I am," he announced in his usual unceremonious manner. "I don't +need to be announced to my Frau sister, even if she seems to hold me at +arm's length. Why did you not come along, Regine, when Adelaide drove +to Furstenstein the day before yesterday? Of course, I do not believe +the excuse which she brought me in your name, and have now come two +hours' riding on horseback to ask for an explanation." + +Regine offered him her hand. She had not changed outwardly in these six +or seven months. She still bore the same strong, self-reliant +appearance and decided way, but her former serenity and cheerfulness, +which, in spite of her brusquerie, were so winning, had disappeared +from her manner. If she never acknowledged it under any circumstances, +it was plainly to be seen that she suffered because her only son grew +strange to her--the son to whom once his mother's love and will had +been all things. + +"I have nothing against you, Moritz," she replied. "I know that you +have retained the old friendship for me in spite of all that has been +done to you and your daughter; but you ought to understand how +embarrassing it is to me to visit Furstenstein again." + +"On account of the dissolved engagement? You ought to be consoled about +it at last. You were present and saw and heard how easily Toni took +matters. She was decidedly better pleased with her rôle of 'guardian +angel' than with that of fiancée; and she has tried several times to +change your mind by her letters, just as I have; but we both have been +unsuccessful." + +"No; I know how to value your rare magnanimity." + +"Rare magnanimity!" repeated Schonan, laughing. "Well, yes, it might +not happen often that the former fiancée and prospective father-in-law +put in a good word for the recreant betrothed, so that he and his +sweetheart may gain the maternal blessing. But for once we are thus +superior in our frankness; and besides, both of us came to the +conclusion that Willy, in fact, has only now become a sensible person, +and this has been accomplished solely and alone by--yes, I cannot help +it, Regine--by the little Marietta." + +Frau von Eschenhagen frowned at this remark. She did not consider it +best to answer it, but asked in a tone that plainly betrayed her wish +to change the subject: "Has Toni returned? I learned through Adelaide +that she had been at the Residenz, but was daily expected home." + +The Chief Forester, who had accepted a seat in the meantime, leaned +back comfortably in his chair. + +"Yes, she returned yesterday, but with a second shadow, for she brought +some one along, who she insists must and shall be her future husband, +and he insists upon it likewise with such emphasis, that really nothing +is left for me to do but to say Yes--Amen!" + +"What! Toni engaged again?" asked Frau von Eschenhagen in surprise. + +"Yes, but this time she managed it all by herself; I did not have an +inkling of it. You will remember that she took it into her head at that +time that she, too, wanted to be loved in a surpassing manner, and +enjoy the usual romance of it. Herr Lieutenant von Waldorf seems to +have attended to that. He has, as she told me with highest +satisfaction, sunk on his knees before her, and declared he could not +and would not live without her, while she gave him a similar touching +assurance, and so forth. Yes, Regine, it will not do any longer to lead +the children by the apron strings when they become of age. They imagine +that marriage is solely their affair, and really they are not so far +wrong about it." + +The last remark sounded very suggestive, but Regine overlooked it +completely. She repeated thoughtfully: + +"Waldorf? the name is quite strange to me. Where did Toni get +acquainted with the young officer?" + +"He is my son's friend and he brought him home with him at his last +visit. In consequence of that an acquaintance with his mother was +begun, which ripened until she invited Toni to visit her some weeks, +and there and then the falling in love and engagement took place. I +have nothing to say against it. Waldorf is handsome, jolly, and in love +up to his ears. He does seem to be a little volatile, but he will +settle down when he gets a sensible wife. The model boys are not after +my taste; they are the very worst when they do get wild, as we have +seen in your Willy. Waldorf will get his discharge in the fall, for my +daughter is not suited for a lieutenant's wife. I will buy an estate +for the young couple, and the wedding will occur at Christmas." + +"I am so glad for Toni's sake," said Frau von Eschenhagen, cordially. +"You take a burden from my heart by this news." + +"I am glad, too," nodded the Chief Forester, "but now you ought to +follow my example and take a burden from the hearts of a certain +other couple. Be reasonable, Regine, and give in! The little Marietta +has remained true, although she was on the stage. Everybody praises +her blameless conduct. You do not need to be ashamed of your +daughter-in-law." + +Regine arose suddenly and pushed her chair back. + +"I beg you once for all, Moritz, to spare me such requests. I shall +stand firm at my word. Willibald knows the condition under which alone +I will return to Burgsdorf. If he does not fulfil it--the separation +remains." + +"He knows better," said Schonan dryly, "than to give up his bride-elect +and marriage solely because she does not suit his Frau mamma. Such +conditions are never fulfilled." + +"You express yourself very amiably indeed," returned Frau von +Eschenhagen angrily. "Of course, what do you know of the love and +anxiety of a mother, or of the gratitude her children owe her? All of +you are ungrateful, inconsiderate, selfish----" + +"Oho! I beg you, in the name of my sex, to refrain from such +vituperations," interrupted the Chief Forester hotly; but suddenly he +reconsidered and said: "We have not seen each other for seven months, +Regine; we really ought not to quarrel the first day again--we can do +that later on. Let us therefore leave your refractory son alone for the +present, and speak of ourselves. How do you like it in town? You do not +exactly look so very well satisfied." + +"I am exceptionally satisfied," declared Regine with great decision. +"What I need only is work. I am not used to idleness." + +"Then create work for yourself. It rests solely with you to again step +to the head of a large household." + +"Are you commencing again----" + +"I did not mean Burgsdorf this time," said Schonan, playing with his +riding whip. "I only meant--you sit all alone in town, and I shall sit +all alone at Furstenstein when Toni marries--that is very tiresome! How +would it be--well, I have already explained it to you once before, but +you did not want me then. Perhaps you have bethought yourself better +now. How would it be if we should make the third couple at this double +wedding?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen looked gloomily to the floor and shook her head. + +"No, Moritz. I feel less like marrying now than ever." + +"Already a 'No' again!" shouted the Chief Forester wrathfully. "Is this +a second refusal you give me? At first you did not want me because your +son and your beloved Burgsdorf had grown too near your heart, and now +when you see that both get along very well without you, you do not want +me because you do not '_feel like it_.' Feeling does not belong to +marrying, anyhow only some sense is wanted; but if one is +unreasonableness and obstinacy personified----" + +"You woo me in a very flattering manner, indeed," interrupted Regine, +now wrathful also. "It would be an exceedingly peaceful marriage if you +act like this as a suitor." + +"It would not be peaceful, but neither would it be tiresome," declared +Schonan. "I believe we could both stand it. Once more, Regine, do you +want me or do you not want me?" + +"No; I do not care to '_stand_' a married life." + +"Then let it alone!" cried the Chief Forester furiously, jumping up and +snatching his hat. "If it gives you so much pleasure to say 'No' +forever, then say it. But Willy will marry in spite of you, and he is +right; and now I shall be the best man at the wedding just to spite +you." + +With which he rushed off, quite beside himself at this second jilting, +and Frau von Eschenhagen remained behind in a similar frame of mind. +They had really quarrelled again at the first _Wiedersehen_, and even +the second refusal could not be left out of this friendly habit. + + + + + CHAPTER XLV. + + +Meantime Prince Adelsberg was with Frau von Wallmoden in the park. He +had begged her not to interrupt her outing, and so they both walked in +the shade of the huge trees in the cool, green twilight, while out on +the meadow lay still the glaring sunlight. + +Egon had not seen the young widow since the death of her husband. The +formal visit of condolence, which he had made after the accident, had +been received by Eugene Stahlberg in the name of his sister, and then +they had left the city immediately. + +Adelaide wore, of course, the widow's mourning; but her companion +thought he had never seen her so beautiful as to-day in the deep, +sombre black and crepe veil, beneath which the blonde hair glimmered. +His glance passed repeatedly over this beautiful blonde head, and +always the question recurred: What has really happened to these +features that they look so entirely different? + +Egon had only known the lady at whose side he now walked in that cool, +haughty composure which had made her so unapproachable to him and the +world. Now this coldness had disappeared, and he saw and felt but could +not decipher the strange change which had taken its place. + +The young widow could not possibly mourn so deeply and seriously for a +husband who was so far removed from her in age, and who, even had he +been young, could never have given her the love youth demands, with his +practical, coldly calculating nature. And yet there lay over her whole +appearance the expression of secret suffering--of a sorrow which was +mutely but painfully borne. + +Where did this mysterious line come from, this soft light of the eyes +which seemed to have learned but now to know tears? + +"It always seems to me as if life and fire could glow there and +transform the snow region into a blooming world," Prince Adelsberg had +once exclaimed in jest. Now this transformation had taken place, +slowly, almost imperceptibly. But this soft, half-painful expression +which replaced the former seriousness, this dreamy look, gave a charm +to the young woman which, with all her beauty, had been missing +before--a charming, gentle grace. + +At first the conversation touched upon indifferent things only, the +questions and answers that were customary and formal. Egon narrated +incidents of happenings during the winter at Court and in town, and +then offered the same explanation of his sudden arrival which he had +given the Chief Forester, speaking of the unendurable heat at Ostend +and of his longing for the cool, still forest solitude. + +A fleeting smile which quivered over the lips of his companion told him +that she believed this pretext as little as had the Chief Forester, and +that the notice in the papers had also been seen by her. He grew +unaccountably vexed about it and studied how he could remedy the +mistake, here where he could not be so plain-spoken, when Adelaide +suddenly asked: "Shall you remain alone at Rodeck, Your Highness? Last +summer you had a--guest with you." + +A shadow passed over the face of the young Prince. He forgot the rumor +of his engagement and his anger about it at this remark. + +"You mean Hartmut Rojanow?" he asked, gravely. "He will hardly come, as +he is in Sicily at present, or at least was there two months ago. I +have had no news from him since, and do not even know where to write +him." + +Frau von Wallmoden bent down and picked some flowers growing at the +wayside as she remarked: "I thought you were in lively correspondence +with each other." + +"I hoped so at the beginning of our separation, and it is not my fault; +but Hartmut has become a perfect mystery to me lately. You were witness +of the brilliant success of his 'Arivana' at our Court Theatre; it has +since then been reproduced at several other theatres. The play is +conquering by storm wherever it appears, and the author withdraws from +all these triumphs--almost flees from his rising fame--hides from all +the world, even from me. Let who can comprehend it!" + +Adelaide had regained her former erect carriage, but the hand which +held the flowers trembled slightly, while her eyes were directed upon +the Prince in breathless expectancy. + +"And when did Herr Rojanow leave Germany?" she asked. + +"At the beginning of December. Shortly before that he had gone to +Rodeck for a few days immediately after the first appearance of his +drama. I considered it a caprice and yielded. Then he suddenly returned +to my house, in town, in a condition of mind and body which really +frightened me, and announced his departure; listened to no entreaties, +answered no questions, but remained firm about going, and really left +like a whirlwind. Weeks passed before I heard of him; then he sent me +occasional letters, which, if rare enough, at least kept me aware of +his whereabouts, and I could answer him. He went to Greece, where he +strayed now here, now there. After that he went to Sicily, but now all +information has stopped, and I am in the greatest alarm." + +Egon spoke with suppressed excitement. One could see how deeply the +separation from his passionately loved friend hurt him. He did not +dream that the young widow at his side could have given him an +explanation of the mystery. She knew what drove Hartmut to wander +restlessly from land to land; what made him shudder before the famous +poet's name which bore that secret but awful stain. But it was the +first news she had heard of him since that disastrous night at Rodeck, +which had discovered everything to her. + +"Poets are sometimes differently constituted from common mortals," she +said, slowly plucking to pieces one of her flowers. "They have the +right sometimes to be incomprehensible." + +The Prince shook his head, incredulously and sadly. + +"No, it is not that; this comes from an entirely different source. I +felt long ago that something dark--mysterious--lay in Hartmut's life, +but I never inquired into it, for he would not suffer the slightest +touch on this point, and he kept silent persistently. It is as if he +stands under a doom, which gives him no peace or rest anywhere, and +which springs upon him suddenly when one thinks it buried and +forgotten. I received this impression anew when he took leave of me in +wild agitation; it was impossible to hold him. But you cannot imagine +how I miss him! He has spoiled me with his presence for over two years +and with all the advantages of his rich, fiery nature which he gave +lavishly. Now everything has become desolate and colorless to me, and I +do not know at times how I can bear life without him." + +They came to a standstill, for they had reached the limit of the park. +Green meadows lay before them in the sunlight, and over yonder rose the +heights of the forest mountains. Adelaide had listened in silence, +while her gaze was lost in the far distance; but now she turned +suddenly and stretched out her hand to her companion. + +"I believe you can be a very sacrificing friend, Your Highness. Herr +Rojanow ought not to have left you; perhaps you could have saved him +from this--doom." + +Egon could not believe his senses; the warmth of the heartfelt +tone--the eyes in which a tear glimmered--the whole, almost passionate, +sympathy with his sorrow surprised as much as it delighted him. He +grasped the hand fervently and pressed his lips upon it. + +"If anything can console me for Hartmut's departure, it is your +sympathy!" he cried. "You will permit me to use the privilege of a +neighbor and come occasionally to Ostwalden? Do not deny me this, as I +am so lonely at Rodeck, and I came here only and solely----" + +He checked himself suddenly, for he felt that such a confession was not +appropriate but an offense, as he saw plainly. + +The young widow withdrew her hand quickly and drew back. It had +required only this moment to transform her again into "Aurora." + +"To flee from the heat and noise of a watering place like Ostend," she +finished coolly. "You said so, at least, a little while ago, Your +Highness." + +"It was a pretext," declared the Prince, gravely. "I left Ostend only +to put an end to certain rumors which were connected with my stay +there, and which even found their way into the papers. They were +positively without foundation so far as I am concerned, I give you my +word, Your Excellency." + +He had quickly embraced the opportunity to dispel the error which he +did not wish to suffer at this place at any price, but the result did +not come up to his expectation. Frau von Wallmoden had again wrapped +herself up in her old, unapproachable manner and made him suffer for +his premature haste. + +"Why this solemn explanation, Your Highness? As it was only a rumor, I +understand just as fully as your other neighbors that you wish to +retain the privilege of choice. But I believe we must return to the +castle, as you said that my brother-in-law had come with you, and I +should like to see him before he leaves." + +Egon bowed assent, and tried obediently to accept the indifferent and +every-day tone by which he was made aware that he should not be +anything more here than a "neighbor." He took the first favorable +moment at the castle to make his excuses, which were immediately +accepted, but not without an invitation to come again had been given, +and that was at present the most important thing. + +"Blamed haste!" he muttered as he galloped away. "Now I shall be kept +as distant as ever, perhaps for weeks. As soon as one tries to approach +the woman a little nearer--the ice stares into one's face. But"--and +here the face of the Prince lit up--"but at last the ice commences to +melt. I saw and felt it in that tone and look. I must be patient +here--the prize is worthy one's perseverance." + +Egon von Adelsberg did not dream that this look and tone, upon which he +built his hopes, were for another, and that she wished only to hear +from that other when the permission to call again had been given. + + + + + CHAPTER XLVI. + + +July had only half gone when the world, which seemed but now to repose +in deepest calm, was suddenly startled from this peace. A lightning had +flamed up on the Rhine, the glare and uncanny light of which reached +from ocean to the Alps. A war-cloud stood heavy and threatening in the +west, and soon the cry of war resounded through the land. + +It broke over Southern Germany like a whirlwind--tore men from their +field of action, changed all conditions and overthrew all plans. Where +a week ago comfort and security reigned, men were now grasped and +carried away by storm. + +At Furstenstein the daughter of the house was celebrating her +betrothal, but she had to take leave of her betrothed, who hastened to +his regiment. + +At Waldhofen, where Willibald was expected for a long visit, he +appeared suddenly in stormy haste to see Marietta once more in the few +days which remained before he, too, should be called away. + +At Ostwalden, Adelaide prepared for departure, to once more embrace the +brother who had hastened to join the standard. + +Prince Adelsberg had left Rodeck at the first news of war, and hurried +to the Residenz, which he reached at the same hour as the Duke. The +world seemed all at once to have gotten an entirely changed face, and +the people with it. + +In the little garden of Dr. Volkmar's house stood Willibald von +Eschenhagen, talking earnestly and impressively with the grandfather of +his fiancée, who sat before him upon a bench, and did not seem to be +acquiescent to what Willy was explaining. + +"But, my dear Willy, this is precipitation without an equal," the good +doctor said, shaking his head. "Your engagement with Marietta has not +yet been made public, and now you want to be married heels over head. +What will the world say to it?" + +"The world finds everything explained under the present circumstances," +returned Willibald; "and we cannot go after outside considerations. I +have to go to war, and it is my duty to secure Marietta's future in any +case. I cannot bear the thought that she should have to return to the +stage after my death, or should be dependent upon my mother's mercy. +The fortune to which I am heir is in my mother's hands, who disposes of +it exclusively. I possess as yet only the entailed estates which, in +case I die, go over to a side branch of the family; but our family law +secures the widow of the lord of the estates a rich dowry. If it should +not be granted me to return from battle, I want to give my fiancée at +least the name and position in life to which she has a right. I cannot +go to the war contentedly until this has been arranged first." + +He spoke quietly, but with much decision. The awkward, timid Willibald +could not be recognized in this young man, who overlooked the situation +so clearly and pleaded so earnestly for his wishes to be granted. + +He had had, however, a school of independence in those last six months, +when he had been put entirely upon his own resources, and had his +firmness continually tried in the contest with his mother; and one +could see that he had learned something in this school. + +His outward appearance was also more prepossessing; in fact, as the +Chief Forester expressed it, he had only now become a man. + +Dr. Volkmar could not resist these arguments. He well knew that if the +war took away her betrothed, Marietta would again be without means and +without protection; and a burden fell from his heart at the thought of +her secure future. Therefore he gave up all argument and only asked: +"What does Marietta say to it? Has she given her consent?" + +"Yes; we decided on it last night, directly after my arrival. Of +course, I did not speak to her about security and widowhood, for she +would have been beside herself if I had dwelt at length upon the case +of my death; but I told her that in case of my being wounded, she, as +my wife, could hasten to me without preliminaries or companions, and +could remain with me, and this decided her. We should have had but a +quiet wedding, anyway." + +His face clouded at the last words, and the doctor said, with a sigh: +"Yes, indeed, none of us would have been inclined to celebrate the +wedding with festivities if the couple had to go to the altar without +the blessing of the mother. Have you really tried every way with her, +Willy?" + +"Everything," replied the young lord, solemnly. "Do you think it will +be easy for me to miss my mother on such a day? But she has left me no +choice, therefore I must bear it. I shall now take the necessary steps +instantly, and in anticipation thereof have brought my papers with me." + +"And do you believe that a marriage can be possible on such short +notice?" asked the doctor, doubtfully. + +"At this time, yes. The formalities have been reduced to the +necessities, and all preliminaries are dispensed with where a hasty +marriage is desired. As soon as Marietta is my wife, she will accompany +me to Berlin, where she will remain until my regiment leaves. Then she +will return to you until the close of the war." + +Volkmar arose and gave Willibald his hand. + +"You are right; it is perhaps best so under the present circumstances. +Well, my little _singvogel_, so you will really marry as quickly as +your betrothed wishes?" + +The question was addressed to Marietta, who now entered the garden. Her +pale cheeks showed the trace of tears, but it was with an exceedingly +happy look that she flew into Willibald's open arms. + +"I am ready at any time, grandpapa," she said, simply. "The +leave-taking will be easier to us after we belong to each other and you +give your blessing." + +The old gentleman looked half sadly, half happily upon the young +couple, who wished to be united before their sad separation should so +quickly take place. Then he said, with emotion: "Well, so be it: marry +then with my blessing. I give it to you from my inmost heart." + +Everything necessary was then quickly discussed. The marriage was to +take place as soon as possible, and, of course, quietly and simply. +Willibald intended to go to Furstenstein to-day to notify the Chief +Forester of the settled plan. + +Dr. Volkmar left them to make a call upon a patient, and Willibald +remained alone with his fiancée. They had not seen each other for so +long, and now the future lay dark and threatening before them. But the +next few days belonged to them, and they were happy in this thought, in +spite of everything. + + + + + CHAPTER XLVII. + + +Engaged in their subdued chatting, they did not notice that the house +door was opened, and some one came with slow, rather hesitating steps +along the hall, until the rustle of a woman's dress upon the gravel +path made them listen, and suddenly both sprang to their feet. + +"My mother!" cried Willibald, in joyful surprise; but at the same time +he put his arm around Marietta as if he wished to protect her from a +renewed attack, for Frau von Eschenhagen's face seemed hard and gloomy, +and her bearing did not look like reconciliation. + +Without noticing the young girl, she turned to her son: + +"I learned through Adelaide that you were here," she began in a rather +harsh tone, "and I only wanted to ask how everything is at Burgsdorf. +Have you looked for a steward during your absence? One does not know +how long the war will last?" + +The joyous expression on the face of the young lord vanished. He had +really hoped for a different greeting at this unexpected appearance of +his mother. + +"I have arranged everything to the best of my ability," he replied. +"The greater part of my people have been called to enlist; even the +inspector has to leave in a few days, and a substitute cannot be had +now. Work must therefore be reduced to the necessities, and old Martens +will overlook everything." + +"Martens is a goose," said Regine, in her old, terse way. "If he takes +the reins, everything at Burgsdorf will go topsy-turvy. Nothing else is +left for me to do but to go there myself and look after things right." + +"How? You would?" cried Willibald. But his mother cut him short. + +"Do you think I would let your possessions go to nothing while you are +in the war? It will be securely cared for in my hands--you know that. I +have held the reins there long enough and will do it again--until you +return." + +She still spoke in the hard, cold tones, as if she wished to exclude +every warmer feeling. But now Willy stepped up to her, with his arm +still around his bride-elect. + +"You will take care of my worldly possessions, mamma," he said, +reproachfully; "you will take them under your protection. But for the +best and dearest thing that belongs to me you have no word nor look. +Have you really only come to tell me that you will go to Burgsdorf?" + +Fran von Eschenhagen's harsh reticence could not hold fast at this +question. Her lips trembled. + +"I came to see my only son once more before he goes to war--perhaps to +death," she said, with painful bitterness. "I had to hear from others +that he had come to say farewell to his bride. He did not come to his +mother, and that--that I could not bear." + +"We should have come," cried the young lord; "we should have made one +more attempt to win your heart before leaving. See, mother, here is my +bride-elect--my Marietta. She is waiting for a friendly word from you." + +Regine threw a long look upon the young couple, and again her face +quivered painfully as she saw how Marietta pressed shyly, but +confidently, to the man in whose protection she knew herself so secure. +Maternal jealousy stood a last, hard struggle; but finally she allowed +herself to be conquered. She stretched out her hand to the young girl. + +"I offended you once, Marietta," she said, in a half-stifled voice, +"and did you a possible wrong that time; but for that you have taken +from me my boy, who, until then, had not loved anybody but his mother, +and who now loves nobody but you. I believe we are quits." + +"Oh, Willy loves his mother as dearly as ever," Marietta said heartily. +"I best know how he has suffered under the separation." + +"So? Well, we will have to agree with each other for his sake," said +Regine, with an attempt at playfulness, which did not quite succeed. +"We shall be in a great deal of anxiety about him soon, when we know +him in the battlefield; care, anxiety, will be plentiful then. What do +you think, my child? I believe we could bear it easier if we worry +about him together." + +She opened her arms, and the next second Marietta lay sobbing upon her +breast. Tears glittered also in the eyes of the mother when she bent +down to kiss her future daughter-in-law; but then she said in the old, +commanding tone: "Do not cry; hold up your head, Marietta, for a +soldier's fiancée must be brave--remember that." + +"A soldier's wife," corrected Willibald, who stood by with beaming +eyes. "We have just now decided to be married before I leave." + +"Well, then, Marietta really belongs to Burgsdorf," declared Regine, +who was hardly surprised, and seemed to find this decision quite in +order. "No arguments, child. The young Frau von Eschenhagen has nothing +to do further at Waldhofen, except as she comes for a visit to her +grandfather. Or are you perhaps afraid of your grim mother-in-law? But +I believe you have in him"--she pointed to her son--"a sufficient +protection, even if he is not at home. He would be capable of declaring +war upon his own mother if she did not bear his little wife upon her +hands." + +"And she will do that, I know it. When my mother opens her heart, she +does it perfectly." + +"Yes, now you can flatter," Frau von Eschenhagen said, with a rebuking +glance. "So you go with me to your future home, Marietta. You need not +worry about the duties; I will attend to that. When I go away again it +will be different; but I see already that Willy will hold you like a +princess all your life long. It is right with me, just so he returns to +us safe and sound." + +She reached out her hands now to her son, and those two had perhaps +never been in a closer or more loving embrace than to-day. + +When the three entered the house, a quarter of an hour later, they met +the Chief Forester, who actually started back at the sight of his +sister-in-law. Regine marked his surprise with the liveliest +satisfaction. + +"Well, Moritz, am I still the most unreasonable, obstinate person?" she +asked, offering her hand. But Schonan, who had not recovered from his +jilting, kept his behind him, and muttered something incomprehensible. +Then he turned to the young couple: + +"So? And now you are to be married in hot haste. I met Dr. Volkmar just +now and he told me about it; so I came to offer myself as best man. But +perhaps that will not be acceptable, since the Frau Mamma is at her +post." + +"Oh, you are just as cordially welcome, uncle," cried Willibald. + +"Well, yes, I can just be used as a secondary person in a marriage," +grumbled the Chief Forester, with a reproachful glance at Regine. "And +so there will be a marriage before the war? One must say, Willy, you +have marched with seven-league boots from your practical Burgsdorf into +romance, and I should never have looked for it in you. However, my Toni +is just as intent upon romance. She and Waldorf would have liked best +to marry like this in steaming haste before marching orders came, but I +have vetoed that, for circumstances are different with us, and I do not +care to already sit at home, lonely as an owl." + +He glanced again with the very grimmest expression at Frau von +Eschenhagen, but she approached him now, and said, cordially: "Do not +bear malice, Moritz. So far we have always made up again. Let us forget +this quarrel also. You see, at least, that I can say 'Yes' for once, +when the whole happiness of my boy depends upon it." + +The Chief Forester hesitated a moment longer, then grasped the offered +hand and pressed it cordially. "I see it," he acknowledged, "and +perhaps you will now forget altogether that blamed 'No,' Regine, about +another point." + + + + + CHAPTER XLVIII. + + +The Steward of Rodeck stood in the study of Prince Adelsberg's palace, +in the Residenz. He had been called there to receive various orders and +plans before the departure of his young lord. + +Egon, who already wore the uniform of his regiment, had given him +verbal instructions, and now dismissed the old man. + +"Keep the old forest nook in good order for me as heretofore," he +concluded. "It is just possible that I may go to Rodeck for a few hours +before I leave, but I hardly believe so, for the order to march may +come any day. How do I please you in my uniform?" + +He arose and drew himself up to his full height. The slender, youthful +form looked well in the uniform of a lieutenant, and Stadinger measured +him with admiring eyes. + +"Real splendid!" he assured the Prince. "It is a pity that Your +Highness is not a soldier by profession." + +"Do you think so? Well, I am one now, body and soul. Service in the +field will come rather hard to me, and I will have to get used to it +first. But it does not hurt when one is under strict discipline." + +"No, Your Highness, it will not hurt you at all," remarked Stadinger, +with his terrible truthfulness. "When Your Highness travels about for +years in the Orient with a great sea serpent and a whole herd of +elephants, or when you run away from the most gracious Court at Ostend +because you do not want to marry at all--nothing comes of that but +only----" + +"But only stupidity," completed the Prince, wisely. "Stadinger, I shall +severely miss one thing in the campaign--your boundless tiresomeness. +You want to give me a last curtain lecture--I see it in your face--but +will spare you the trouble. Remember me rather to Lena when you get +home. Is she back at Rodeck now?" + +"Yes, Your Highness, _now_ she is there," said the old man, with heavy +emphasis. + +"Of course, because I march to France. But be content; I shall return a +genuine model of sense and virtue, and then--then I shall marry, too." + +"Really?" Stadinger cried in joyful surprise. "How glad the most +gracious Court will be." + +"That depends," teased Egon. "I may terrorize the most gracious Court +with my engagement, and perhaps inflict cramps upon my most gracious +Aunt Sophie with it. Don't look so stupid at this, Stadinger. You don't +understand it, but I will permit you to crack your head over it +during the campaign. But now go, and if we should not see each other +again--keep your master in pleasant remembrance." + +Stadinger's face took on the grimmest of wrinkles to hide the upwelling +tears, but he could not succeed. + +"How can Your Highness talk like that?" he muttered. "Shall I, an old +man, remain perhaps alone in this world, and not see you any more--so +handsome so young and happy! I could not live at that." + +"And I have vexed you so much, old Waldgeist," said the young Prince, +giving him his hand; "but you are right--we must think of victory and +not death. But, when both come together, then death is easy." + +The old man bent over his master's hand, and a tear fell upon it. + +"I wish I could go, too," he said, under his breath. + +"I believe it," laughed Egon; "and you would not look bad as a soldier, +in spite of your snow-white hair. But we younger ones have to march +now, and you old ones remain at home. Farewell, Stadinger----" He shook +his hand cordially. "I really believe you are crying. You ought to be +ashamed of yourself. Away with tears and sad anticipations. You will +yet read me another lecture." + +"May God grant it!" sighed Peter Stadinger, from the depths of his +heart. With wet eyes he looked once more into the youthful face, so +full of life, smiling at him, so happy and sure of victory. Then he +left sadly, with bowed head, realizing how much his young master had +grown into his heart. + +The Prince cast a glance at the clock. He was to go to his superior, +but saw that he had almost an hour yet, so he reached for the +newspapers and plunged into the newest dispatches and reports. + +A rapid footstep sounded in the ante-room. Egon looked up in surprise. +Servants were not in the habit of making such a noise, and callers were +always announced. But this caller did not need any announcing, as all +the servants knew. All doors were open to him in the house of Prince +Adelsberg. + +"Hartmut, is it you?" + +Egon sprang to his feet in joyful surprise, and cast himself on the +breast of the newcomer. + +"You back in Germany, and I have no idea of it! You wicked monster, to +leave me for fully two months without news of you! Have you come to say +good-by to me?" + +Hartmut had neither returned the greeting nor the stormy embrace. +Silently and gloomily he suffered both, and when he spoke at last, even +his tone betrayed nothing of the joy of this _Wiedersehen_. + +"I came straight from the depot. I hardly dared hope to find you still +here, and yet everything depends upon it for me." + +"But why did you not announce your return to me? I wrote you +immediately after the declaration of war. You were still in Sicily +then, were you not?" + +"No; I left there as soon as war seemed unavoidable, and did not +receive your letter. I have been in Germany a week." + +"And you come to me only now?" said Egon, reproachfully. + +Rojanow did not notice this reproach. His eyes rested upon his friend's +uniform with almost a jealous expression. + +"You are already on duty, I see," he said, hastily. "I also intend to +enter the German army." + +Egon evidently expected something entirely different. He retreated a +step in boundless surprise. + +"In the German army? You--a Roumanian?" + +"Yes, and therefore I have come to you. Will you make it possible for +me?" + +"I?" asked the Prince, whose surprise grew greater and greater. "I am +nothing more than a young officer. If you are really in earnest in this +strange resolve, you must go to one of the standing posts of command." + +"I have already done that at various places. I have tried it even in +your neighboring state, but they will not accept the stranger. They +demand all sorts of papers and references, which I do not possess, and +torture me with endless questions. Everywhere suspicion and mistrust +affront me. Nobody will understand my resolve." + +"To speak the truth, Hartmut, I don't understand it, either," said +Egon, solemnly. "You have always showed such a deep antipathy to +Germany--you are the son of a country whose higher circles know only +French education and customs--which stands in sympathy exclusively with +France. The mistrust of strangers is easily understood. But why do you +not turn directly to the Duke, and personally accomplish your desires? +You know how prepossessed he is with the poet of 'Arivana.' It will +cost you only an audience, which will be granted you at any time, and +an order from him will remove every difficulty and admit every +exception." + +Rojanow's glance fell, and his clouded brow grew darker as he replied: +"I know that, but I cannot ask anything from that side. The Duke would +put the same questions as all the rest, and I could not withhold the +answer from him, and the truth--I cannot tell it to him." + +"Not even to me?" asked the Prince, stepping up to him and laying his +hand on Hartmut's shoulder. "Why do you insist so persistently upon +entering our army? What do you look for under our colors?" + +Hartmut passed his hand across his brow, as if to wipe something away +from there. Then he replied, heavily and huskily: + +"Salvation--or death." + +"You return as you went--a puzzle," said Egon, shaking his head. "You +have hitherto refused every explanation. Can I not now learn your +secret?" + +"Obtain me an entrance into your army, and I will tell you everything," +Rojanow cried in feverish excitement. "No matter under what conditions, +only see that it is granted me. But do not speak to the Duke nor to a +general, but turn to one of the lower commanders. Your name, your +relationship with the reigning house makes your word powerful. They +will not answer Prince Adelsberg with a 'No' when he himself speaks for +a volunteer." + +"But the same question will be put to him as to you--you, a Roumanian." + +"No, no," cried Hartmut, passionately. "If I must confess it to you--I +am a German." + +The effect of this disclosure was not as great as Hartmut might have +feared. The Prince looked at him for a moment, amazed. + +"I have thought so at times, for the one who could compose an Arivana +in the German language did not get this language by education, but had +grown up with it. But you bear the name Rojanow----" + +"The name of my mother, who belonged to a Roumanian--Bojar's family. My +name is--Hartmut von Falkenried." + +His own name sounded strange in his ears, for he had not pronounced it +for years; but Egon grew attentive at the name. + +"Falkenried? That was the name of the Prussian Colonel who came on that +secret mission from Berlin. Are you any connection of his?" + +"He is my father." + +The young Prince looked compassionately upon his friend, for he saw how +terribly hard this confession came to him. He felt that a family drama +was hidden here, and, too delicate to investigate further, he only +asked: "And you do not want to proclaim yourself the son of your +father, not a Falkenried? Every Prussian regiment would be open to you +then." + +"No, they would be closed to me forever. I fled from the cadets' school +ten years ago." + +"Hartmut!" Absolute terror was in the exclamation. + +"Do you also, like my father, consider me worthy of death for it? You, +of course, have grown up in freedom and have no conception of the iron +rule which reigns in these institutions; of the tyranny with which one +is bent under the yoke of blind obedience. I could not stand it. I was +forced to freedom and light. I begged--entreated my father--but in +vain. He held me fast in the chain--when I broke it, and fled with my +mother." + +He uttered this, all with wild, desperate defiance; but his eyes rested +anxiously upon the face of his listener. His father, with his severe +ideas of honor, had sentenced him; but his friend, who idolized him, +who in passionate enthusiasm admired his genius and all that he did--he +_must_ understand the necessity of his step. But this friend was +silent, and in this silence lay the sentence. + + + + + CHAPTER XLIX. + + +"You too, Egon?" + +In the tone of the questioner who waited several minutes in vain for an +answer, there lay deep bitterness. "And you too, Egon, who have so +often told me that nothing should hamper the flight of the poet; that +he must break the fetters which would hold him to the ground. I did +that--and you would have done the same." + +The Prince drew himself up with the firmness of decision. + +"No, Hartmut; you are mistaken there. Perhaps I should have fled from a +strict school, but from the colors--never!" + +Here it was again--the harsh words which he had already heard once +before--"fled from the colors." It forced the blood to his brow again. + +"Why did you not become an officer?" continued Egon. "You could +have become one early at your home; you could have taken your leave +then at an age when life only commences. Then you would have been +free--honorably." + +Hartmut was silent. His father had told him the same, but he had not +wanted to wait and submit himself to rules. A barrier had stood in his +way, and he simply threw it down unconcernedly. But he threw down duty +and honor with it. + +"You do not know all that stormed upon me at that time," he replied, +heavily. "My mother--I do not wish to accuse her--but she has been my +doom. My father had separated from her in early life. I thought her +dead, when suddenly she entered my life and snatched me to her with her +burning mother love--with her promise of freedom and happiness. She +alone is responsible for that unfortunate breaking of my word----" + +"What word?" interrupted Egon, excitedly. "Had you sworn to the +standard?" + +"No, but I had given my father my word to return when he allowed me the +last conversation with my mother----" + +"Instead of which you fled with her?" + +"Yes." + +The answer was almost inaudible and was followed by a long pause. The +Prince spoke never a word; but in his open, sunny face deep, bitter +pain was depicted--the bitterest of his life, for at this moment he +lost his so passionately loved friend. + +At last Hartmut resumed, but he did not raise his eyes. "You understand +now why I want to force an entrance into the army at any price. Now +that war has broken out, the man can atone for the boy's sin. Therefore +I left Sicily immediately after the first threatening news, and flew as +in a storm to Germany. I hoped to be able to hasten to arms. I had no +idea of all the difficulties and hindrances which would be put in my +way. But you can put them aside, if you intercede for me." + +"No, I cannot do that," said Egon, coldly. "After what I have heard +just now, this is impossible." + +Hartmut turned deathly white and stepped up close to Egon with a +vehement gesture. + +"You cannot? That means--you will not?" + +The Prince was silent. + +"Egon!" Wild, stormy entreaty was in the tone. "You know I have never +made a request of you--this is the first and last one. But now I +beg--entreat you for this friendly service. It is the relief from the +doom which has hung over me since that hour. The reconciliation with my +father--the reconciliation with myself--you must help me!" + +"I cannot," repeated the Prince. "The rejection to which you have been +subjected may hurt you deeply--I believe it--but it is only just. You +have broken with your fatherland--with your duties--and that cannot be +mended so easily without anything further, when one has become of a +different opinion. You fled from the service of our standard--you, the +son of an officer! Now the army is closed to you, and you must bear +it." + +"And you tell me that so calmly--so coldly!" cried Hartmut, beside +himself. "Do you not see that it is a question of life or death to me? +I saw my father again that day at Rodeck, when he hastened to the +deathbed of Wallmoden. He crushed me with his contempt--with the awful +words he threw into my face. It was that which drove me away from +Germany, which chased me ceaselessly from place to place. His words +went with me and made life a hell to me. I have greeted the war cry as +a deliverance. I want to fight for the fatherland which I once cast +from me, and now the door which is open to every one is closed to me +alone. Egon, you turn from me! Oh--there is only one way left for me!" + +With a sudden, passionate motion he turned to the table, where the +Prince's pistols were lying; but the Prince sprang at him and tore him +back. + +"Hartmut, are you out of your senses?" + +"Perhaps I shall be so. All of you torture me beyond endurance." + +Boundless despair lay in those words. + +Egon, too, had turned pale, and his voice trembled as he said: "Before +it goes so far--I will try to find an opening in a regiment for you." + +"At last! I thank you." + +"However, I cannot promise you anything, for the Duke has to be put +altogether aside now. Besides, he leaves to-morrow for the battlefield. +Should he learn later on that you serve in his corps, we shall then be +in the midst of the storm of war, and one does not ask 'How' and 'Why' +in the face of a completed fact. But it may take days before the +decision arrives. Will you be my guest?" + +Formerly the Prince would have accepted that as only natural and would +have been exasperated if his friend had refused; now he made the +inquiry, and Hartmut felt what lay in the cold question. + +"No, I shall not remain in town," he replied. "I shall go to the +Forester at Rodeck, and I beg that you will send your answer there. I +can return here in a few hours." + +"As you wish. Then you will not go to the castle?" + +Hartmut gazed at him with a long, sad look. + +"No; to the Forester's. Farewell, Egon." + +"Farewell." + +They parted without a pressure of the hand, without a further word, and +when the door closed behind him, Hartmut knew that he had lost the +friend who had idolized him. Judged here, too--and cast out! He had to +atone terribly for the old guilt. + + + + + CHAPTER L. + + +Over the Wald hung a dark, cloudy sky, which, from time to time, sent +down showers of rain. Gray mists clung around the heights, and storms +raged through the crowns of the trees. It was a regular autumn day in +the middle of summer. + +The mistress of Ostwalden was alone at her castle. She had received +news from her brother that he had already left, and that the meeting +planned between them could not take place. Therefore Adelaide had +postponed her departure to be present at the marriage of Willibald and +Marietta, which was quietly celebrated in the presence of the nearest +relatives. + +The young couple had left for Berlin, where Willibald was to join his +regiment immediately. His young wife wished to remain near him the few +days before the order came to march. From there she was to go to +Burgsdorf, whither her mother-in-law had preceded her. + +The morning hours had not yet passed when Prince Adelsberg drove up to +the castle of Ostwalden. He had asked for leave of absence to-day to +"arrange some important matters"; but the important matters did not +carry him to Rodeck, but to Ostwalden. He came to say farewell to +Adelaide, whom he had not seen since that first visit. + +As his carriage entered the castle yard, they met the priest of the +neighboring village with the holy sacrament, and attendant chorister. +Apparently the last rites had been administered to one seriously ill. +The Prince inquired to whom the sad visit had been paid, and learned +that it was to one of the inspectors of the estate, and that the +mistress of the castle was at present with the dying man; but the guest +should be announced to her instantly. + +Egon restlessly paced up and down the reception room, into which he had +been shown. He had come here to obtain an assurance, without which he +did not feel able to march into a campaign of life or death; and the +uncertainty with which such a campaign was ever taken, must serve as +apology for thus approaching a young widow still in deep mourning. It +need not yet be a proposal. He wanted to take with him only a hope the +promise of which had risen so brightly at their last meeting, when +Adelaide had shown such warm interest in his sorrow about his absent +friend. He did not dream that he had made a fatal mistake. Still, in +spite of this, a deep shadow rested upon the face of the Prince, +usually so cheerful. It was not the leave-taking which gave him pain, +for he went to the battlefield with glowing enthusiasm and the happy +faith of youth, which dreams only of victory, and rejects all dark +prospects. Besides, he dreamed of another happiness in the future, +which he wished to secure now. + +The door opened to admit Frau von Wallmoden. + +"I beg your pardon for detaining you so long, Your Highness," she said, +after the first greetings. "It was probably told you that I was beside +a deathbed?" + +"I learned so upon my arrival," replied Egon, who had hastened to meet +her. "Is the case really so serious?" + +"Alas, yes! poor Tanner! He used to be tutor in a family in the +neighborhood, but had to give up his position on account of a serious +illness. At the request of the Chief Forester, I gave him employment in +cataloguing my husband's library, which had been sent to Ostwalden, and +it was hoped that he would quite recover in the easy office and the +invigorating forest air. He was so grateful for it, and told me only +yesterday how happy his mother was that he should be excused from +military service, on account of not being yet quite well. But suddenly +this morning he had a hemorrhage, and the physician tells me that he +can live but an hour longer. It is awful to see a young life bleed to +death like that!" + +"And yet this will happen to thousands in the next few weeks," said +Egon, gravely. "Have you been with the poor man?" + +"Yes, at his request. He knew how it was with him, and wished to lay a +prayer upon my heart for his old mother, who loses in him her only +support. I have calmed his mind on that subject, but it was all I could +do for him----" + +One could see how deeply the scene at the deathbed had impressed the +young widow, and Egon, too, felt deep compassion at the narrative. + +"I come to say farewell," he said, after a short pause. "We march the +day after to-morrow, and I could not deny myself a visit to you once +more. I am happy to have found you here, as I understand you intend +leaving soon." + +"Yes, for Berlin. Lonely Ostwalden is so far remote, and in this time +of feverish expectation one wishes to be as near the centre of +communications and connections as possible. I am anxious about my +brother, who has joined the standard." + +Again a pause ensued, and the Prince was about to break it with +expression of what lay so near his heart, when Frau von Wallmoden +anticipated him with a question, asked with apparent indifference, but +in a voice which trembled slightly: + +"You were in much anxiety about the non-arrival of news of your friend +at your last visit, Your Highness. Have you heard from him yet?" + +Egon's eyes fell, and the shadow which had been dispelled during the +conversation returned, heavily and gloomily, to his face. + +"Yes," he replied, coldly. "Rojanow is back in Germany." + +"Since the declaration of war?" + +"Yes, he came----" + +"To join the army! Oh, I knew it!" + +The Prince looked at her amazed. + +"You knew it, Your Excellency? I thought you had known Hartmut as a +Roumanian only, and through me." + +A deep blush suffused the cheeks of the young Frau von Wallmoden. She +felt the exclamation had been a betrayal, but she quickly regained +composure. "I became acquainted with Herr Rojanow last fall, when he +was your guest at Rodeck," she answered, composedly; "but I have known +his father for long years, and he---- I suppose your Highness knows all +that has happened?" + +"Yes, I know it now," said Egon, with heavy emphasis. + +"Colonel Falkenried was a near friend of my father's and visited our +house frequently, although I had never heard of his son. I had +considered the Colonel childless until that awful hour at Rodeck, the +day my husband died. Then I learned the truth, and was a witness of a +meeting between father and son." + +The Prince breathed a sigh of relief at this explanation, which +dispelled the disastrous thought just dawning upon him. + +"I understand your concern, then," he replied. "Colonel Falkenried is, +indeed, to be pitied." + +"He only?" asked Adelaide, struck by the harsh tone of the last words. +"And your friend?" + +"I have no friend--I have lost him!" cried Egon, with passionate pain. +"What he confessed to me two days ago opened an abyss between us, and +what I know now parts us forever." + +"You judge the misdemeanor of a seventeen-year-old lad very severely. +He must have been only a boy then." + +A deep reproach lay in the words of the young widow; but the Prince +shook his head vehemently. + +"I do not speak of that flight and that breaking of his word, although +they weigh heavily with the son of an officer. But what I heard +yesterday--I see you do not yet know the worst, gracious lady, and how +should you? Spare me this report." + +Adelaide had turned pale, and her eyes, full of fear, hung fixed upon +the speaker. + + + + + CHAPTER LI. + + +"I beg of Your Highness," Adelaide commenced again, "to tell me the +truth--the whole truth. You said that Herr Rojanow had returned to join +the army. I had thought he would--had expected it--for it is the only +thing by which he can atone for his old guilt. Has he joined the +standard already?" + +"Happily it has not gone so far, and that has spared me a heavy +responsibility," said Egon, with supreme bitterness. "He reported to +several regiments, but was refused everywhere." + +"Refused! But why?" + +"Because he did not dare to confess himself a German, and because a +very just suspicion was raised toward the strange Roumanian. One has to +be cautious at the present time that no--spies may force their way into +the ranks of our armies." + +"For God's sake, what do you mean?" cried Adelaide, who began now to +comprehend the situation. + +Egon sprang up in great excitement and drew nearer. + +"If you wish, then, to know it, gracious lady--listen. Hartmut came to +me and requested me to use my influence to make the entrance into one +of our regiments possible to him. I refused at first, but he forced me +to consent by a threat which was hardly meant seriously. I kept my word +and asked one of our higher officers, whose brother was secretary to +our embassy at Paris and who had just returned from there with him. +This gentleman was present at our interview. He heard the name, +Rojanow--inquired further into the matter and gave me disclosures; I +cannot repeat them. I have loved Hartmut as I have nothing else upon +this earth--have almost idolized him. I let myself be carried away by +the force of his genius, and now I learn that the friend who was +everything to me is a monster; that he and his mother did service as +spies at Paris. Perhaps he wished to do the same in our army!" + +He covered his eyes with his hand, and there was something awful in the +agony of the young man whose idol had been so ruthlessly shattered. + +Adelaide had risen, and the hand with which she leaned upon the back of +the chair trembled. + +"And what have you--has he--answered to that?" + +"Do you mean Rojanow? I have not seen him since and shall not see him +again. I shall spare myself and him that much. He is now at the +forestry at Rodeck and awaits my answer there. I have notified him in +three lines of what I learned, without adding a remark or a word. He +has probably received the letter and will understand it sufficiently." + +"Good God! that will drive him to his death," Adelaide burst forth. +"How could you do it! How could you judge the unfortunate one without +hearing him!" + +"The unfortunate one!" repeated the Prince cuttingly. "Do you really +consider him that?" + +"Yes, for I do not hear these awful accusations for the first time. His +father cast them in his face at that meeting." + +"Well, if even his own father accuses him----" + +"The deeply offended, deeply embittered man! He cannot have an unbiased +judgment, but you--the friend of Hartmut--you, who stood so near +him--you ought to have stepped in and defended him." + +Egon looked with questioning surprise upon the excited lady. + +"You appear to wish to do so now, Your Excellency," he said slowly. "I +cannot do it, for there is too much in Hartmut's life which confirms +the suspicion. It explains everything to me that has hitherto seemed +mysterious. These are quite decided facts upon which the accusation is +based----" + +"Against the mother! She has ever been the doom--the ruin--of her son; +but he did not know the shameful work to which she had fallen; he lived +at her side ignorant of it. I saw how he broke down when his father +uttered the awful words--how he struggled against it as in a death +struggle. That was truth--that was the despair of a man who is being +punished more deeply than he has transgressed. That flight--that +breaking of his word--robs him now of the faith of those who stand +nearest to him. But if his father and his friend both so judge him--_I +believe in him!_ It is not true! He is not guilty!" + +She had drawn herself fully erect in her stormy excitement. Her cheeks +glowed; her eyes sparkled, and her tone and words contained that +convincing passion which only love knows when defending the loved one. + +Egon stood there transfixed and looked at her. There it was--the +awakening, of which he had often dreamed, Fire and life glowed there +now--a blooming world arose from the ice; but it was another who had +called it forth. + +"I do not dare to decide as to whether you are right, gracious lady," +said the Prince in a toneless voice, after a brief silence. "I only +know one thing. Whether Hartmut be guilty or not, he is enviable in +this hour." + +Adelaide shrank back; she understood the hint and lowered her head +mutely before the reproachful glance. + +"I came to say farewell," continued Egon. "I intended to add a +question--a prayer--to this leave-taking, but that is over now. I have +only to bid you farewell." + +Adelaide raised her eyes, in which hot tears glistened, and offered her +hand. + +"Farewell, and may God take you in His care and keeping during the +campaign!" + +But Prince Adelsberg shook his head silently. + +"What shall I do with life?" he finally cried in overwhelming sorrow. +"I should like best--no, do not look at me so entreatingly! I know now +that I made a fatal mistake, and I will not torture you with a +confession; but, Adelaide, I would gladly die could I buy with death +the look and tone you had just now for another. Farewell!" + +Once more he pressed her hand to his lips, then hastened away. + + + + + CHAPTER LII. + + +The storm had increased in violence during the afternoon. It roamed in +the forest, dashed among the open heights and chased the clouds over +the sky with increasing wrath. It raged with full force around that +forest height which had once witnessed such a significant encounter +between two people, but the man who leaned there now alone and lonely +at the trunk of a tree did not seem to feel it, for he stood immovable +in the midst of it. + +Hartmut's face was deathly pale; a stony, unnatural calm rested upon +it, and the sparkle of the eyes had died out, while the hair fell heavy +and damp over his brow. The storm had torn his hat from his head; he +had noticed it as little as the rain which drenched him. + +He had found himself at this place after hours of roaming through the +forest--here, where a remembrance drew him unconsciously. It was the +right place for his purpose. + +The news which had been looked for so feverishly had finally come; no +letter; nothing but a few lines without any preface, and with only the +signature, "Egon--Prince Adelsberg." But in these lines there lay +annihilation for him who received them. Cast out forever--judged by his +friend without a hearing! Doom had awfully fulfilled itself in the son +of Zalika. + +The crashing of a huge limb which broke under the pressure of the storm +and fell whizzing to the ground, aroused Hartmut from his despairing +revery. He had not even started at the crash, but slowly turned his +glance to the heavy mass which fell close to him. A foot nearer and it +would have struck him--would perhaps have made an end of all the shame +and torture in one moment; but death was not made so easy for him. That +blessing came to him only who loved life--he who wished to throw it +away must do so with his own hand. + +Hartmut took the gun from his shoulder and put the butt to the ground; +then he laid his hand upon his breast to find the right place. Once +more he glanced up to the veiled skies with their scudding masses of +clouds, and down to the little dark forest lake in the deceiving +meadow, over which the fog clustered as at that time at home. The +beckoning, charming will-o'-the-wisp had appeared to him there; he had +followed the flame of the depths, and now it drew him down hopelessly; +there was no further rising into the heights where other, brighter +lights shone. A bullet in the heart and everything would be at an end. + +He was about to grasp the trigger when he heard his name called in a +tone of deadly anxiety. A slender figure in a dark cloak sprang toward +him from the edge of the forest, and the weapon fell from his hand, for +he gazed into the face of Adelaide, who stood trembling before him. + +Moments passed without a word from either. It was Hartmut who recovered +first. + +"You here, gracious lady?" he asked with enforced calmness. "Are you +out in the forest in this weather?" + +"I should like to put the same question to you." + +"I have been hunting, but the weather is unpropitious, and I was about +to discharge my gun----" + +He did not finish, for the sad, reproachful glance upon him told that +the lie was in vain. He broke off and looked gloomily before him. +Adelaide, too, gave up all pretense, and in her voice all her anxiety +trembled as she cried: "Herr von Falkenried, what did you intend to +do?" + +"What would have now been done had you not interfered," said Hartmut, +harshly. "And believe me, gracious lady, it would have been better if +coincidence had brought you here a few moments later." + +"It was no coincidence. I was at the forestry at Rodeck, and heard that +you had been gone for hours. An awful presentiment drove me to look for +you here. I was almost sure I should find you here." + +"You looked for me? Me, Ada?" His voice shook at the question. "How did +you know that I was at the forestry?" + +"Through Prince Adelsberg, who called to see me this morning. You +received a letter from him?" + +"No, only a communication," returned Hartmut with quivering lips. "No +single word was directed to me personally in the short lines; they +brought only a communication in a business tone which the Prince +thought necessary. I fully understood it." + +Adelaide was silent; she had known it would drive him to suicide. +Slowly she walked with him under the protection of the trees, for it +was hardly possible to keep erect out in the open space in this raging +storm, but Hartmut did not seem to feel it. + +"You know the contents of the communication--I see that you do," he +commenced again, "and it is not new to you, either. You overheard what +happened that night at Rodeck, but believe me, Ada, what I felt at that +moment when you stood before me in that ghostly glow which shone +through that night, and it grew clear to me that I had been ground into +the dust before you--what I felt might have satisfied even my father's +vengeance, might have atoned for all my sin." + +"You do him wrong," replied the young widow solemnly. "You saw him only +in the stern, iron inflexibility with which he cast you from him. I saw +him differently after you had gone. He broke down there in wild +anguish; he then let me look into the heart of a despairing father who +loved his son above everything. Have you not made an attempt since then +to convince him?" + +"No; he would believe me as little as Egon does. He who has once broken +his word, has lost forever their faith, even if he would regain it with +his life. Perhaps my death upon the battlefield would have enlightened +them, but when I fall now by my own hand they will see in it only the +deed of a despairing man--a guilty one--and will despise me even in my +grave." + +"Not everybody will do that," said Adelaide lowly. "I believe in you, +Hartmut, in spite of everything." + +He looked at her, and through the gloomy hopelessness of his soul there +flamed something of the old fire. + +"You, Ada? And you tell me that upon this spot where you cast me off? +You did not know anything about me then----" + +"And for that reason I shuddered before the man to whom nothing was +sacred--who recognized no law but his will and his passions; but that +winter night, when I saw you at your father's feet, showed me that you +fell more through doom than guilt. Since then I have known that you can +and must cast that unfortunate inheritance from your mother far from +you. Rouse yourself, Hartmut. The road which I then showed you is still +open; whether it leads to life or death--it leads upward." + +He shook his head gloomily. + +"No, that is past. You have no conception of what my father has done to +me with his terrible words. What my life has been since then I--but let +me be silent about it; nobody can grasp it; but I thank you for your +faith in me, Ada. Death is made easier to me through that faith." + +The young widow made a quick motion toward the weapon which lay at his +feet. + +"For God's sake, no! You dare not do that!" + +"What am I to do with life?" Hartmut burst forth with terrible +vehemence. "My mother has branded me as with a red-hot iron, and this +closes to me every way to atonement--to salvation. I am cast out from +the ranks of my people, where even the poorest peasant can fight; a +privilege which is denied only to the dishonorable criminal, is denied +also to me, for I am nothing else in Egon's eyes. He fears that I might +become a traitor--a spy to my own brothers!" + +He covered his face with both hands, and the last words died in a sob; +then he felt a hand touch his arm gently. + +"The brand is extinguished with the name Rojanow. Throw that from you, +Hartmut; I bring you what you tried in vain to obtain--entrance into +the army!" + +Hartmut started and gazed at her in unbelief. + +"Impossible! How could you----" + +"Take these papers," interrupted Adelaide, drawing forth a package. +"They are made out in the name of Joseph Tanner 29 years old, slender, +with dark complexion, black hair and eyes--you see everything will +suit--with these nobody will refuse you an entrance as a volunteer." + +She gave him the papers, around which his right hand closed +spasmodically as upon the most precious jewel. + +"And these papers?" he asked, still doubting. + +"Belong to a dead man. They were given me for another purpose, but the +deceased has no further use for them and will pardon me if with them I +save a living man." + +Hartmut stormily opened the package. The wind almost tore the sheets +from his hand and he was scarcely able to decipher the contents as the +young widow continued: + +"Joseph Tanner had a small office at Ostwalden, when seized with a +hemorrhage this morning. He had but a few hours to live and gave me his +last words and mementos for his mother. The poor woman shall receive +everything--every letter, every scrap which can be a solace to her, but +I have taken the official papers--for you. We do not rob anybody in +doing this, for they are valueless to the mother to whom they now +belong. Perhaps a strict judge would call that deceit, but I gladly +shoulder the blame, and God will pardon it, and so will the +fatherland." + +Hartmut closed the case and hid it in his breast, which heaved under a +deep, deep breath. Then he drew himself up and pushed the rain-soaked +locks from the high brow, so like his father's--his only inheritance +from the Falkenrieds, but which gave him an unmistakable resemblance to +them. + +"You are right, Ada," he said. "I cannot thank you in words for what +you have done for me. Words have no power, but--I shall strive to +deserve it." + +"I know that. Farewell and--_auf wiedersehen!_" + +"No, do not wish that," said Hartmut gloomily. "Death in battle can +exonerate me to myself, but not to my father or Egon, for they would +never hear of it; and if I remained among the living the old stain +would return; but when I fall, tell them who rests under the foreign +name. Perhaps then they will believe you and remove the curse from my +grave." + +"Do you want to fall?" asked Adelaide with plaintive reproach, "even if +I tell you that you sadden me inexpressibly?" + +"Sadden you, Ada!" he cried passionately. "Do you no longer shudder at +my love--at the fate which drew us together? Oh, I might have possessed +the highest happiness, for you are--free; but it comes near to me now +for only a fleeting moment, and vanishes again into unattainable +heights, like the form of the legend who bears your name in my drama. +Nevertheless, it has approached me, and I may be permitted for once +only to clasp it to me in farewell." + +He drew her to him and pressed a kiss upon the brow of his love, who +leaned against him sobbing. + +"Hartmut, promise me that you will not seek death." + +"No; but it will know how to find me. Farewell, my own Ada." + +He tore himself away hastily. Adelaide remained alone. The storm roared +above her head; the giant crowns of the trees moaned and swayed; the +storm sang its wild song on and on, but suddenly over in the west there +flamed a dark-red rent through the clouds. It was only for a brief +moment--only one solitary ray of the sinking sun, but it shiningly +illumined the forest height and the departing one, who turned once more +and sent back a last greeting. Then the clouds massed together again, +and the ray was extinguished. + + + + + CHAPTER LIII. + + +The reddish, flickering glow of a wood fire lighted up the interior of +a small, isolated house which had formerly served as a dwelling to a +station-keeper, but was now pressed into service for the sentinels of +the outpost. The room did not bear an expression of cosiness with its +bare, smoked walls, low ceiling and small, barricaded windows, but the +tremendous logs which flared and burned in the uncouth stone fireplace +offered a very welcome warmth, for it was bitterly cold out of doors, +and the whole country was buried in the snow of a severe winter. + +The regiment here was hardly better off than their comrades before +Paris, although they belonged to the Southern army corps. + +At present two young officers were entering, and the one who still held +the door open called laughingly to the one preceding: "Please bend +down, Herr Comrade, or you might take our door frame along, for our +villa is in rather a dilapidated condition, as you see." + +The warning was not without need, for the giant figure of the guest--a +Prussian Lieutenant of the Reserve--was not at all in proportion to the +door. Nevertheless, he succeeded in entering safely and looked around +at the four walls, while his companion, who wore the uniform of a South +German regiment, continued: "Permit me to offer you a seat in our +'salon,' which is not so bad considering the circumstances. We have +already had it worse during the campaign. So you are looking for +Stahlberg? He is with my comrade out at the post, but will probably +return directly. You will have to be patient for a quarter of an hour." + +"With pleasure," assured the Prussian. "I see from that that Eugene's +injury is really as slight as he reported. I looked for him in the +hospital, and heard that he was making a visit to the outposts, but as +we shall probably march on by to-morrow, I did not wish to let this +opportunity pass by unimproved, and therefore came to see him now." + +"His wound was indeed only slight--a shot in the arm, which is already +far advanced toward healing, but will, nevertheless, disable him for +service for a short time. You are a friend of Stahlberg?" + +"Yes, and connected besides through the marriage of his sister. I +see that you do not remember me, Your Highness. Let me give you my +name--Willibald von Eschenhagen. We met last year----" + +"At Furstenstein," interrupted Egon von Adelsberg quickly. "Certainly, +now I remember you perfectly. It is remarkable how the uniform changes +one; I really did not know you at first." + +He glanced with a half-admiring look at the once awkward country squire +who had appeared so ridiculous to him, but who now possessed a stately, +military appearance. + +It was not the uniform alone, though, which had changed Willibald so +completely. What love had begun the campaign had finished by tearing +him from the accustomed surroundings and circumstances. The young Baron +had not only, as his Uncle Schonan expressed it, "become a man," but +had developed into a true, genuine man. + +"Our meeting at that time was a brief one," continued the Prince, "but +nevertheless you will permit me to offer my congratulations? You are +betrothed----" + +"I believe you are under a mistake, Your Highness," interrupted +Willibald with some embarrassment. "Although I had been introduced to +you at Furstenstein as the future son-in-law of the house, but----" + +"That has been changed," finished Egon, smiling. "I knew it, for the +comrade of whom I spoke just now is Lieutenant Waldorf, the happy +fiancé of Baroness Schonan. My words were meant for Fraulein Marietta +Volkmar." + +"At present Frau von Eschenhagen." + +"What! You are already married?" + +"Have been for five months. We were married just before marching orders +came, and my wife is now at Burgsdorf with my mother." + +"Then accept my congratulations on your marriage. But really, Herr +Comrade, I ought to call you to account for the unwarrantable damage +you have done to art. Please tell your wife that, as far as I can learn +out here in the campaign, the entire Residenz still mourns her loss in +sackcloth and ashes." + +"I shall not forget it, although I fear the Residenz has not much time +for such mourning at present. Ah, the gentlemen are returning--I hear +Eugene's voice." + +Steps were heard outside and the expected ones entered. Young Stahlberg +greeted his relative with an exclamation of the most joyful surprise. +He had not seen Willibald during the campaign, although both served in +the same army corps. He still bore his arm in a sling, but otherwise +looked well and happy. + +Eugene did not possess the beauty of his sister, and the feature of +decided will-power which the daughter had inherited from her father was +missing. The son showed a gentle, more conciliatory nature in his +appearance as well as demeanor, but still he resembled his sister +closely, which might have been the cause of Prince Adelsberg's intimacy +with him. + +His companion, a handsome young officer with sparkling, saucy eyes, now +approached, and the Prince performed the introduction. + +"I will not fear that the gentlemen will challenge each other when I +mention the names," he said, jestingly. "They are obliged to be +called--so then, Herr von Eschenhagen--Herr von Waldorf." + +"God forbid! For my part I am peace personified," cried Waldorf gayly. +"Herr von Eschenhagen, I am glad to meet the cousin of my fiancée, and +so much more so because he is already in the bonds of holy matrimony. +We also would have liked to do as you did--marry before the march--but +my father-in-law put on his grimmest mien and declared, 'Gain victory +first and then marry.' Well, we have done the first continually for +five months, and as soon as I return home I shall speedily ask for the +second." + +He cordially shook the hand of his bride-elect's former fiancé, then +turned to the Prince. + +"We brought along something for Your Highness--something we seized +outside. Orderly of Rodeck, advance to His Highness--the Lieutenant, +Prince Adelsberg." + +The door opened, and in spite of the gathering twilight the Prince +recognized the wrinkled face and snow-white hair of him who entered. He +started. + +"All good spirits defend us! It is Peter Stadinger!" + +It was, indeed, the live Stadinger who stood before his young master. +He did not seem to be wholly a stranger to the others, for although +they now saw him for the first time, they greeted his appearance with +the liveliest joy. + +"Above everything, let us have light to take a good look at the +'Waldgeist' of His Highness," cried Waldorf, lighting candles and +holding them with comical solemnity close before the old man. + +Egon laughed. + +"You see, Stadinger, what a well-known and frequently spoken of person +you are here. Now let me introduce you in proper form. Behold here, +gentlemen, Peter Stadinger--celebrated for his unequaled churlishness +and his moral lectures, which make one quake. He probably thinks I +cannot exist without them, and he will doubtless give to me here also +upon the battlefield the satisfaction of this friendly habit. I hope +that some of it will fall upon your heads, gentlemen--and now begin, +Stadinger!" + +But the old man, instead of obeying, grasped the hand of his master in +both of his and said in a heartrending tone: "Ach, Your Highness, how +we have trembled and feared for you at Rodeck!" + +"Well, that is polite!" said Eugene Stahlberg, but the Prince assumed a +displeased air. + +"So? And you therefore took to your legs speedily and left everything +to go topsy-turvy at Rodeck. I should not have thought you would +neglect your duty like that!" + +Stadinger looked at him in doubting perplexity. + +"But I have come according to orders. Your Highness has written me to +make haste and come and take Louis from the hospital--you would attend +to the travel and everything. I arrived this noon, and found the lad as +well as could be expected. The doctor thinks I can take him home with +me in a week, for then all danger would be over. But the kindness Your +Highness has shown to Louis and all the others from Rodeck who are in +the army can never be told. May God reward you a thousand times!" + +Egon withdrew his hand impatiently. + +"It is 'Herr Lieutenant' now, remember that. I insist upon my military +title--and what does this mean, now that when I count upon your +churlishness you are meek as a lamb and give us a pathetic scene! +I forbid it! This Louis, gentlemen, is a grandson of this old +Waldgeist--a fine, brave fellow, but he has a sister who is much +handsomer. I am sorry to say this senseless grandfather sends her away +regularly when I go to Rodeck. Why did Lena not come along? You should +have thought of bringing her." + +This proved effective against the meekness and affection, which were as +unusual as embarrassing. + +Stadinger drew himself up rigidly and replied with his usual terseness: +"I believed Your Highness had no time here in the war to think about +such foolishness." + +"Aha, now it is coming!" said the Prince under his breath to Waldorf, +who stood beside him, but aloud he continued: "That is where you are +very much mistaken. A fellow gets uncivilized in the war, and when I +return home again----" + +"Then Your Highness has promised to get married at last," reminded the +old man in the most emphatic tone, which called forth general laughter +among the young officers. Egon joined it, but his laugh sounded forced, +just as did his reply: + +"Yes, yes; I have promised, but I have reconsidered the matter in the +meantime. I may keep my word in ten years or perhaps in twenty, but no +sooner." + +Stadinger, who in spite of the command would not have used the title of +Lieutenant under any consideration, because that would be a humiliation +to the ducal family in his eyes, flew into a high state of indignation +and gave free vent to it. + +"If I do not almost believe it! If Your Highness has really for once a +sensible thought, it does not hold good for twenty-four hours--and your +sacred father a married man, too! Man has to marry, anyhow, and all +foolishness stops of its own accord after marriage." + +"Now that he is in the run of it, gentlemen, let him moralize to you," +cried Egon, and the young officers, to whom this was great fun, teased +the poor Stadinger until he lost all respect and exhibited himself in +the full halo of his admonitory nature. + +Half an hour later Willibald and Eugene Stahlberg approached the Prince +to take leave. + +"You march on by to-morrow?" he asked. + +"At daybreak. We march toward R----, where Major-General von Falkenried +is stationed with his brigade, though it will take several days to +reach there, for the whole country between here and the fortress is +occupied by the enemy, and we have to clear our way." + +"But tell the General, Willy, that I shall follow in at least a week," +said Eugene. "It is bad enough that I have to remain behind so long on +account of a shot wound not worth mentioning. Next week I shall report +myself well, whatever the doctor may say, and after that I shall join +my regiment without delay--I hope before the capture of R----" + +"You must, indeed, make haste then," said Egon, "for resistance does +not last long usually where General Falkenried stands; we have seen +that often enough. He is always in front with his men always the first +to storm a place, and has already won inconceivable things. It seems as +if no impossibility exists for him." + +"But he has the good luck to be always put in the front," grumbled +Lieutenant Waldorf. "Now again he is to take R----, while we lie here, +God knows how long. And he will take possession of it--there is no +doubt of that--perhaps he has taken it already. News reaches us only by +roundabout ways so long as the enemy stands between us." + +He arose to escort the two gentlemen out, while the Prince remained +behind. + +Standing before the fire with folded arms, he gazed into it, and his +face bore an expression not in accordance with the gayety which he had +but now been showing. Seriously, yet gloomily, he looked into the +dancing flames, and the shadow would not leave his usually sunny eyes. + +He seemed to have forgotten the presence of Stadinger, but as the +latter made himself heard by clearing his throat, he started. + +"Ah, you are still here? Remember me to Louis and tell him I will come +to see him again to-morrow. We don't have to say farewell yet, as you +remain here for the present. You did not think we had such gay times +here? Yes, one makes life easy as possible when one has to be ready +every day to lose it." + +The old man stood before his master and looked sharply into his eyes, +then he spoke half aloud: + +"Yes, the gentlemen were gay and Your Highness the gayest of all but +you are not happy in spite of it." + +"I? What do you mean? Why should I not be happy?" + +"I don't know that, but still I see it," insisted Stadinger. "When Your +Highness used to come from Furstenstein, or were up to all sorts of +things with Herr Rojanow, you looked different and laughed different, +and just now when you looked into the fire it seemed to me as if Your +Highness had something very heavy upon your heart." + +"Get away with all your observations!" cried Egon, to whom his old +Waldgeist was again becoming uncomfortable. "Do you suppose we are +always jolly? I should say that when one has the bloody battlefield +always before the mind, earnest thoughts come near." + +Nothing could be said to that, and Stadinger remained silent, but he +could not be deceived. He knew quite well that something was wrong with +his young master, and that something was hidden behind this ostensibly +exhibited gayety. + + + + + CHAPTER LIV. + + +Lieutenant Waldorf re-entered the room, but left the door open. "Come +right in here," he called to the man hesitating outside. "Here is an +orderly from the Seventh Regiment with a report. Well, don't you hear, +orderly? Come in!" + +The repetition of the order sounded very impatient. The soldier who +stood upon the threshold hesitated there, and had even made a start +back, as if he wished to return to the darkness outside. He now obeyed, +but kept close to the door, so that his face remained in the dusk. + +"Do you come from the outposts at the Capellenberg?" asked Waldorf. + +"At your command, Herr Lieutenant." + +Egon, who had turned indifferently, started at the sound of that voice. +He made a hasty step forward, then stopped as if suddenly recollecting +himself, but his eyes were fixed with an almost terrified expression +upon the speaker. + +As far as could be discerned in the semi-darkness he was a tall young +fellow in the coarse cloak of the common soldier, with helmet upon his +closely-cut hair. He stood there, rigidly immovable, and delivered his +report correctly, but his voice had a peculiarly choked, hollow sound. + +"From Captain Salfeld," he reported. "We have seized a suspicious +character, dressed as a peasant, but probably from the French reserve, +who tried to steal into the fortress. What writings he had with +him----" + +"Do come nearer," commanded Waldorf, impatiently. "We cannot half +understand you." + +The soldier obeyed, drawing near to the officers. The light now fell +full and sharp upon his features, but his face bore an ashy paleness; +the teeth were tightly closed, and the eyes were fastened to the floor. + +Egon's hand clutched the hilt of his sabre convulsively, and only by an +effort he suppressed the stormy exclamation which was forced to his +lips, while Stadinger, with wide-open eyes, glared at the man, who now +continued: "The writings which he had with him were not of much +account, but contained hints which he was probably to fill out +verbally. The Captain thinks that if he were strictly examined, more +could be learned, and asks now whether he shall send the prisoner here +or to headquarters." + +The report was neither surprising nor unusual. It often happened that +suspicious people were seized. The enemy's reserve tried obstinately to +obtain connection with the fortress; perhaps they kept it up in spite +of all the watchfulness of the besiegers: but Prince Adelsberg seemed +to have to struggle for breath before he could give the answer. + +"I beg the Captain to send the prisoner here. We shall be relieved in +two hours and then we march straight to headquarters. I shall attend to +the fellow." + +"I hope he can be made to speak when he is seriously pressed," remarked +Waldorf. "He would not be the first whose heart had fallen when his +position became clear to him. Well, we shall see." + +The soldier stood there awaiting his dismissal; not a muscle quivered +in his face, but neither did he raise his eyes from the floor. Egon had +now collected himself, and, retaining the assumed ignorance, he asked +in the curt tone of the superior: + +"Do you belong to the Seventh Regiment?" + +"At your command, Herr Lieutenant." + +"Your name?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"Drawn?" + +"No, volunteer." + +"Since when?" + +"Since the 30th of July." + +"You have been in the whole campaign?" + +"Yes, Herr Lieutenant." + +"Very well; now take the message to your Captain." + +The soldier saluted, turned upon his heel and left. + +Waldorf, who had been a little surprised at the examination, but had +not attached any importance to it, looked after him, shrugging his +shoulders. + +"Those out at the Capellenberg have the worst time of it. No rest by +day or night; taxed to the utmost, and with all that they are often +ordered to help the pioneer corps. The poor fellows work there in the +hard, frozen ground until the sweat runs in streams from their brows, +and their hands bleed. Our people surely are better off." + +He left the room to appoint an orderly to guard the expected prisoner +and give him the necessary instructions; but Egon tore the window open +and leaned out; it seemed as if he should suffocate. + +Then he heard Stadinger's voice behind him in subdued tones, which +nevertheless betrayed the greatest terror. + +"Your Highness." + +"What is it?" Egon asked without turning. + +"Has not Your Highness seen?" + +"What?" + +"The orderly who was here just now. That was Herr Rojanow as sure as he +lives and breathes." + +Egon saw that presence of mind was needed here, so he turned around and +said coldly: "I believe you see ghosts." + +"But, Your Highness----" + +"Nonsense! there may be a little resemblance. I noticed it myself, +therefore I wanted to know the name of the man. You heard that it was +Joseph Tanner." + +"But still it was the real live Herr Rojanow," cried the unshakable +Stadinger, whose sharp eyes could not be deceived. "Only the black +locks were gone and the proud, haughty manner, but it was his voice." + +"Get away from me with your fancies!" Egon broke out angrily. "You know +that Herr Rojanow is in Sicily, but here you want to trace him in an +orderly of the Seventh Regiment. It is truly worse than ridiculous." + +Stadinger held his peace. It was, indeed, ridiculous and impossible, +and consequently was his young Prince so ungracious. He felt offended +that a common soldier should be confounded with his friend. And really +the haughty Rojanow, who understood how to command from the very +bottom of his heart, and had often chased all the servants at Rodeck +helter-skelter with his orders--and the orderly who had been snubbed by +Lieutenant Waldorf because he did not speak loud enough--were two ever +so different things. If only it had not been for the voice! + +"Think, Your Highness," besought the old man, who was now wavering. + +"I think that you are an old seer of spirits," said Egon more mildly. +"Go into your quarters and sleep away the fatigue of your journey, or +you will be finding some more resemblances. Good-night!" + +Stadinger obeyed and took his leave. Fortunately he had not known +Joseph Tanner, who had only been at Ostwalden a few weeks, and the +encounter had put him in such a fright that the partly concealed +excitement of his master passed quite unnoticed by him. But he clung to +his doubts; the thing was strange--very strange. + +When the Prince found himself alone he began to pace the floor in +violent excitement. So! what he had refused his former friend had been +enforced. Joseph Tanner! He plainly remembered the name, which had been +mentioned to him at Ostwalden, and he knew now whose hand had opened +for Hartmut the ranks of the army which had been closed to a Rojanow. + +What will not the love of a woman attain!--a woman who desires to see +her love exonerated at any price. She herself had sent him out into +danger and death--to save him for life and--herself. Jealousy rose wild +and hot in Egon's breast at the thought, and with it that awful +suspicion, not yet overcome, raised its head again threateningly. Did +Hartmut really wish to atone only in this war? Was not his presence at +the outposts a danger, for which one was responsible if he kept it a +secret? + +Then came back to the Prince's mind the pale, gloomy face of the man +to-night--the friend who had once been so dear to him, and who must +have suffered agonies of torture at this encounter, far exceeding his +imagination. He well knew Hartmut's unbending pride, and this pride was +now bowed low in the dust in that subordinate position day after day. +He had heard it; how out there on the Capellenberg they often worked so +hard that in spite of the icy weather the sweat poured in streams from +their brows, and their hands bled. This was what the spoiled, famed +Rojanow was doing; the man at whose feet the whole town laid its homage +only a year ago, and whom the house of the reigning Prince had +overwhelmed with distinction; and he was doing it of his own free will, +when the success of his poetical work afforded him the richest +revenues. And with it all, he was the son of General Falkenried! + +Egon's breast rose under a deep but relieved breath. This view of it +was giving him back slowly his lost faith; all torturing doubts fled +before this. The old sin of the boy Hartmut was now being atoned for, +and the other more awful sin was the mother's alone--not his. + + + + + CHAPTER LV. + + +It was toward nine o'clock in the evening when Prince Adelsberg left +his quarters to go to the Commanding General. He was not obeying an +official order, but an invitation, for the General had been close +friends with his father, and had shown paternal attention to the son +all during the campaign. + +Egon would have given much to have been permitted to remain at home +to-night, for the encounter with Hartmut had shaken him to the inmost +heart, but the invitation of the superior could not be disregarded, and +one could not follow one's inclinations in war-time. + +An adjutant met the Prince upon the stairs, seeming to be in the +greatest haste, and only dropping a hint of bad news, which Prince +Adelsberg would probably hear from the General. Egon mounted the stairs +shaking his head. + +The General was alone, pacing the room in apparent excitement and with +a face which boded no good. + +"Good evening, Prince Adelsberg," he said, pausing in his walk at the +entrance of the young officer. "I am sorry I cannot promise you a +pleasant evening, but we have received news which will probably ruin +every pleasure of being together." + +"I just heard a hint about it," replied Egon; "but what has happened, +Your Excellency? The dispatches of to-day noon sounded favorable." + +"I have had this news but an hour. You yourself delivered the +suspicious man who had been seized by our outposts to headquarters. Do +you know what he had with him?" + +"Yes, for Captain Salfeld sent the papers with the prisoner. I was also +of the opinion that he was to complete the information verbally, as +they had been carefully prepared. They had apparently counted upon the +possibility of the man's falling into our hands. He would not confess +anything, but I knew he would be examined closely here." + +"Which has been done. The man was a coward, and when he saw the bullet +threatening him he saved himself by a confession, the truth of which +cannot be doubted. You remember that in one of the papers it was +mentioned that one could in an extreme case follow the heroic example +of the commander of R----?" + +"Yes, that is incomprehensible, as the fortress is on the eve of +surrender. General Falkenried sent word that he hopes to move in by +to-morrow." + +"And I fear he will make his word good," cried the General. Egon looked +at him in amazement. + +"You _fear_, Excellency?" + +"Yes, for there is a scoundrelly scheme--a betrayal without example. +They mean to surrender the fortress, and when their garrison has +withdrawn to a safe distance, and our army has moved in, they intend to +blow the citadel to atoms." + +"For God's sake!" shrieked the Prince in horror. "Cannot General +Falkenried be notified?" + +"That is the question. I fear that it will not be possible. I have sent +out warnings upon two different routes, but our direct connection with +R---- is cut off; the enemy has the mountain passes in possession; the +messengers will have to make a wide circuit and cannot arrive there in +time." + +Egon was silent in deepest consternation. The passes were, indeed, +occupied by the hostile forces. Eschenhagen's regiment had been sent to +clear the way, but that might take several days. + +"We have considered all possibilities," continued the General, "but +there is no way out of it--nothing but a slight hope that the surrender +has been delayed in some way; but Falkenried is not the man to allow +himself to be kept waiting. He will hasten the finale and then he is +lost with perhaps thousands with him." + +He resumed his walk through the room. One could see how the fate of his +endangered comrades went to the heart of this iron man. + +The Prince, too, stood helpless, but suddenly a thought flashed upon +him. He drew himself up. + +"Your Excellency." + +"Well?" + +"If it should be possible to send a dispatch over the passes, a good +horseman might possibly get to R---- by to-morrow morning. Of course, +he would have to ride for life and death----" + +"And through the midst of the enemy--nonsense! You are a soldier and +must tell yourself that it is impossible. The foolhardy rider would not +get half a mile--he would be shot down." + +"But if a man could be found who would be willing to make the attempt +in spite of everything? I know such a man, Your Excellency." + +The General frowned angrily. + +"Does that mean that you wish to offer yourself for this useless +sacrifice? I would have to prohibit that, Prince Adelsberg. I know how +to value the courage of my officers, but I shall not give them +permission for such impossible enterprises." + +"I do not speak of myself," said Egon earnestly. "The man of whom I am +thinking belongs to the Seventh Regiment, and is at present upon +sentinel duty on the Capellenberg. It was he who reported the +prisoner." + +The General had grown thoughtful, but he shook his head incredulously. + +"I say it is impossible; but what is this man's name?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"Private?" + +"Yes, he entered voluntarily." + +"You know him, then?" + +"Yes, Your Excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole army; +dauntless to foolhardiness, and capable to act in such a case with the +circumspection of an officer. If the thing can possibly be done, he +will do it." + +"And you believe--such a thing cannot be commanded--it is, indeed, an +act of despair--you believe that the man would take this message of his +own free will?" + +"I stand for it." + +"Then, indeed, I cannot nor dare not say no where so much is at stake. +I will order Tanner up immediately." + +"May I not take the order to him?" Egon quickly interrupted. + +The General stopped and looked at him searchingly. + +"You wish to do it yourself--why?" + +"To save time; the road which Tanner has to take leads by the +Capellenberg; an hour would pass before he could get to headquarters +and back." + +Nothing could be said against that, but the General seemed to feel that +something important was hidden beneath this. An ordinary private would +hardly undertake such peril, which drove him almost into death's +embrace, but the old warrior did not inquire further. He only asked: + +"Do you stand for the man?" + +"Yes," returned the Prince, firmly and calmly. + +"Very well; then you can inform him yourself. But one thing more--he +must have statements for the outposts on the other side, if indeed he +reaches it, for every detention may prove fatal where moments count." + +He stepped to his desk and wrote a few lines upon a paper, which he +handed to the Prince. + +"Here is the necessary passport, and here the dispatch to Falkenried. +Will you bring me immediate news whether or not Tanner consents to go?" + +"Instantly, Your Excellency." + +Egon received the papers, took his leave, and hastened to his quarters, +where he ordered his horse saddled at once. Five minutes later saw him +on his way. + + + + + CHAPTER LVI. + + +The Capellenberg, of Chapel Mountain, which had probably borne +originally another name, but was so called by the Germans because it +bore a chapel, was only a small height, partly covered with forests. It +was the last outrunner of the mountains at this side, and formed here +the border of the German troops. A company of the Seventh Regiment was +stationed in the farms which lay scattered over its side. Their +position was rightly considered very hard and most dangerous. + +The chapel lay desolate and lonely, half buried in the deep snow. +Priests and choir had long since fled, and the little edifice bore +traces of destruction everywhere, for hot battles had been fought +around this height. Walls and roof still stood intact, but a part of +the ceiling had fallen, and the wind whistled through the shattered +windows. Behind it rose the forest, clad in ice and snow, and all this +lay in the uncertain light of the half-moon which was now visible in +the heavily clouded sky, shedding her ghostly light upon the +surroundings, only to again quickly disappear. + +It was an icy winter night, as at that time at Rodeck, and, as then, +the horizon was lit up by a dark reddish glow; but no aurora beamed +here in gorgeous beauty; the glow which flared here in the north bore +witness of battles fought all around; it had its origin in burning +villages and farms; the awful signs of the flame of war, which were +reflected in the skies. + +A lonely sentinel stood here with gun on shoulder--Hartmut von +Falkenried. + +His eyes hung on the flaming horizon, the dark masses of cloud shone +there blood-red, and from time to time a shower of fiery sparks burst +from the seething smoke which rested over the earth. + +Glow and flame there; ice and night here! The cold, which had been +intense already during the day, now grew to the breath of ice, in which +all life seemed to become stark, and which chilled the lonely sentinel +to the very marrow. + +Although he was not the only one who had to do this hard duty, his +comrades had not been spoiled by years of life in the Orient and the +balmy air of Sicily. Hartmut had not lived through a northern winter +since his boyhood; this cold grew disastrous to him, for it seemed to +change the blood in his veins into ice. + +Slowly the deadly sleepiness, which is not sleep, crept upon him; it +made the limbs heavy as lead, and drooped the eyelids forcibly. He who +was so terribly threatened, struggled against it with all his +will-power; he tried to collect himself and move about; he succeeded +for a moment, but exhaustion again approached, the end of which he +knew. + +Was it not even to be granted him to fall by a bullet? + +Hartmut's glance turned to the half-destroyed house of God, as if +beseeching help; but what were church and altar to him? He had cast +faith from him long ago; only night with death stared him in the face, +and life would have given him so much when the atonement should have +been completed--possession of his love, the fame of a poet, and perhaps +even reconciliation with his father. + +But it was not to be. He must stand to his post and wait for the +ignominous death which was creeping upon him from the icy darkness. +Duty commanded and he--obeyed. + +But in the distance sounded steps and voices which came nearer and +nearer. They tore Hartmut from the semi-unconsciousness which had +already begun to veil his senses. + +He roused himself with an effort and made his gun ready, but it was his +comrades who drew near. What did it mean? The hour for relief had not +yet come; but in a moment a sergeant stood before him. + +"Relief--command from headquarters brought by an officer," came the +order. + +The change was made and a sturdy peasant, who did not seem to mind the +cold much, took Hartmut's place. As Hartmut was about to join the +sergeant an officer approached him from the other side. + +"Let the sergeant go on. I wish to speak to you, Tanner; follow me." + +Prince Adelsberg, who did not wish the sentinel to witness the +conversation, entered the chapel, into which Hartmut followed him. + +The pale moonlight falling through the windows revealed all the +dismantled and destroyed interior. The fallen ceiling had shattered +some of the pews; the altar alone stood undemolished. + +Egon had walked to the middle of the room, where he stopped and turned. + +"Hartmut." + +"Herr Lieutenant." + +"Stop that, we are alone," said the Prince. "I did not think, that we +should meet like this." + +"And I hoped I should be spared it," said Hartmut hoarsely, "You have +come----" + +"From headquarters. I heard that you had been ordered to sentinel duty +on the Capellenberg. That is awful duty for such a night as this." + +Hartmut was silent; he knew that without this interruption it would +have been his last duty. + +Egon looked at him with concern. In spite of the uncertain light he saw +how rigid and exhausted was the man who leaned against one of the +pillars as if he needed support. + +"I came to bring you an order, but it is left to your own free will to +accept it or not. The matter is considered almost impossible, and it +would be, perhaps, to any one else. You have courage for it, I know, +but the question is, have you the strength after all these exertions?" + +"Fifteen minutes' rest and warmth will give me the strength. But what +does it concern?" + +"A ride for life or death. You are to take a message through the midst +of the enemy--to R----" + +"To the fortress?" cried Hartmut with a start. "There stands----" + +"General Falkenried with his brigade; he is lost if the message does +not reach him. We lay his safety in the hands of his son." + +Again Hartmut started. Gone were frost and exhaustion. With feverish +excitement he grasped the Prince's arm. + +"I am to save my father? I? What has happened? What must I do?" + +"Listen. The prisoner whom you reported to me to-day has given us a +terrible disclosure; it concerns a betrayal. The fortress is to be +blown up as soon as their troops are in safety and ours have taken +possession. The General sent warnings instantly, but they will not +reach them in time, as they have to take a circuitous route. Your +father thinks of taking possession to-morrow. He must be warned before +that, and there is only one possibility. The messenger must go over the +mountain passes, which are held by the enemy. If successful, the news +will reach there to-morrow before noon, but the way----" + +"I know it," interrupted Hartmut. "Our regiment took it only fourteen +days ago coming here. The passes were free then." + +"So much the better! Of course you must take off your uniform, which +would betray you." + +"I shall change only cloak and helmet. If I am held up at all, my fate +is sealed--so it is only important that I be not recognized in flying +past. If only a good capable horse can be found!" + +"It is at hand. I brought my Arab--my Saladin--with me. You know him +and have often ridden him. He flies like a bird, and must do his master +achievement this night." + +The conversation had been conducted with flying haste, and now the +Prince drew out the papers which he had received at headquarters. + +"Here is the order of the Commanding General, which puts everything at +your disposal when you reach our outposts--and here the dispatch. Give +yourself half an hour's rest, for your strength might not hold out, and +you will break down on the way." + +"Do you think that I need rest and recreation now," cried Hartmut, +flashing up. "I shall surely not break down now; it will have to be +under the fire of the enemy if I do. I thank you, Egon, for this hour, +in which you at last--at last--speak to me free from that base +suspicion." + +"And in which I send you out into death," said the Prince softly. "We +will not shun the truth. It will be a miracle if you get through +safely." + +"A miracle." + +Hartmut's glance wandered to the altar, upon which rested the pale +light of the moon. He had forgotten long ago how to pray, yet at this +moment he sent up a silent, fervent prayer to the heavens--to the power +which could do miracles. + +"Only until I have saved my father and his men--only so long guide and +keep me!" + +In the next second he drew himself up. It was as if Egon had poured +glowing life power into the veins of the man who so shortly since was +threatened with death through cold and exhaustion. + +"And now let us say good-by," whispered Egon. "Farewell, Hartmut." + +He opened wide his arms and Hartmut fell upon his breast. + +All that had stood between them was buried in this embrace. The old +glowing love burst forth powerfully again for the last time, for both +felt that they would not meet again--that this was a final farewell. + +Scarce fifteen minutes later a horseman dashed away; the slender Arab +flying so that his hoof seemed not to touch the ground. In furious +gallop he flew along over the snow through ice-covered forests, over +frozen brooks on and on into the mountain passes! + + + + + CHAPTER LVII. + + +The next day brought clear, frosty weather, but the sun shone brightly +and the cold had somewhat abated. + +In Prince Adelsberg's quarters were Eugene Stahlberg and Waldorf, the +latter being off duty today on account of a fall upon the ice, +resulting in an injury to his hand, which prevented him from marching +with his company as Egon had done. + +The gentlemen were awaiting their princely comrade, who was expected +soon, and entertained themselves in the meantime by teasing Peter +Stadinger, who had, as in duty bound, appeared at his young master's +this morning, and who also awaited him now. + +The young officers knew nothing as yet of the news which had +been obtained at headquarters yesterday, and were in the best of +spirits--taking all possible pains to call forth in Stadinger the +far-famed churlishness. But it was not successful today. The old man +remained laconic and reticent. He would only repeat his question: When +would His Highness return? and if it would be a serious skirmish to +which His Highness had marched? until finally Waldorf lost all +patience. + +"Stadinger, I believe you would like best to pack up your Prince and +take him back with you to your Rodeck, which is safe from bombs," he +asserted. "You must get over this anxiety in the war--remember that." + +"And, besides, the Prince has only marched out to reconnoitre," added +Eugene. "He is just taking a little walk with his people from the +Capellenberg into the neighboring dales and ravines, to ascertain how +it really looks there. They will probably exchange a few compliments +with the French gentlemen, and then retreat politely; the more impolite +attacks will follow in a few days." + +"But is there shooting with it all?" asked Stadinger, with such anxious +mien that the two officers laughed aloud. + +"Yes, shots are being exchanged, too," confirmed Waldorf. "You seem to +have great fear of them, yet you are at a safe distance." + +"I?" The old man drew himself up, deeply offended. + +"I wish I could be in the midst of it also." + +"Perhaps to protect your much loved Highness. The Prince would decline +that. You would hold on to his coat tails and cry continually, 'Take +care, Your Highness, there comes a ball.' That would look fine!" + +"Herr Lieutenant," said the old man, so seriously that the gay tease +was silenced, "you should not do that to an old hunter who has often +climbed after the chamois, and has fired his gun when he had scarcely a +foot's breadth of ground to stand on; I feel so depressed and anxious +to-day. I wish the day would end." + +"Well, it was not meant so seriously," said Eugene, soothingly. "We +believe you, Stadinger; you do not look like a man who is afraid. But +you must not speak to us about your depressing presentiments. One does +not think of them after one has stood so many times in the shower of +bullets. When we are happily at home again, I will come to my sister at +Ostwalden, and we will then be good neighbors with Rodeck. The Prince +loves his old forest nook so well. And now abandon your anxiety, for +there he comes already." + +Rapid steps were heard on the stairs outside; the old man sighed with +relief. But it was only Egon's attendant who appeared in the open door. + +"Well, has His Highness arrived?" asked Waldorf; but Stadinger did not +allow the man time to answer. He had cast one glance at his face--only +a single one--then suddenly grasped his hand with a convulsive clutch. + +"What is it? Where--where is my master?" + +The man shook his head sadly and pointed silently to the window, to +which both officers hastened with fear and dread. But Stadinger lost no +time. He dashed out down the stairs, into the little garden which lay +before the house, and with a loud, bitter cry sank upon his knees at +the side of a stretcher, upon which there lay a slender, youthful +figure. + +"Quietly," said the physician who had accompanied the sad group. +"Control yourself--the Prince is seriously wounded." + +"I see it," gasped the faithful old servant; "but not fatally--oh, say +not fatally. Only tell me that, Herr Doctor!" + +He looked up to the surgeon with such despairing entreaty that the +latter had not courage to tell him the truth, but turned to the two +officers who now hastened near and overwhelmed him with low, anxious +questioning. + +"A ball in the breast," he explained, in the same tone. "The Prince +begged to be brought to his quarters, and we have used all possible +care in the moving; but it will bring the end more quickly than I +thought." + +"Fatal?" asked Waldorf. + +"Beyond a doubt." + +The surgeon gave the bearers who prepared to take their charge into the +house, a sign to desist. + +"Stop, the Prince seems to have something to say to his old servant, +and there are no moments to lose." + +Stadinger saw and heard nothing of what happened at his side. He looked +only upon his master. + +Egon seemed to be unconscious. The light hair had become disheveled, +the eyes were closed, and beneath the cloak with which he had been +covered, and which had partly fallen open, the blood-stained uniform +could be seen. + +"Your Highness," besought Stadinger, softly, according to the doctor's +warning, but with heartbreaking accents, "only look at me! Speak to me! +It is I--Stadinger." + +The well-known voice found its way to the ear of the desperately +wounded man. Slowly his eyes opened, and a slight smile flitted over +his features as he recognized the old man who knelt at his side. + +"My old Waldgeist," he whispered, "did you have to come--to see this?" + +"But you will not die, Your Highness," murmured Stadinger, his whole +body a-tremble, but never removing his eyes from his dying master; +"no--do not die--surely not!" + +"Do you think that it is hard?" said Egon, calmly. "Yesterday--you saw +quite correctly--my heart felt heavy; but now it is light. Give my love +to Rodeck--and to my forests and--to her, too, the mistress of +Ostwalden." + +"Whom? Frau Wallmoden?" asked Stadinger, almost terrified at this turn. + +"Yes--take her my last greeting--tell her to think of me sometimes." + +The words came painfully--brokenly--from the lips which seemed to +almost refuse their duty; but they left no doubt as to the meaning of +the last greeting. + +Eugene had started when he heard the name of his sister, and now bent +low over the dying man, who saw the brother of Adelaide--recognized the +features which resembled hers so much--and again a smile passed over +his face. Then he leaned his fair head quietly and calmly on the breast +of his old Waldgeist, and the beautiful blue eyes closed forever. + +It had been a short, painless struggle--almost a falling asleep. +Stadinger had not moved--had not uttered a sound, for he knew it would +hurt his young master, whom he had borne in his arms as a child, and +who now drew his last breath in those arms. But, when all was over, the +composure of the old man gave way. He threw himself despairingly upon +the body and wept like a child. + + + + + CHAPTER LVIII. + + +Over on the other side of the mountain passes also the winter sun shone +clear and bright upon the new achievements which the victorious German +troops had acquired. + +The negotiations with the commander of R---- had been brought to an +end, and the fortress had surrendered. The captive garrison moved out, +while a portion of the victors had already marched in. + +General Falkenried stood in the main square of the lower town with his +staff, about to move also into the fortress. The helmets and arms of +the troops who were on their way into the citadel glittered in the +sunshine. Falkenried issued various orders, then took his stand at the +head of his staff and gave the signal to march. + +But now there came a horseman in furious haste over the main road; the +noble animal he rode was covered with sweat and foam, and his sides +bled from the cruel spurs which had hurried him on and on when his +strength threatened to desert him. The face also of the rider was +disfigured by the blood trickling from beneath the cloth that had been +wound around the forehead. + +He came flying, as if driven by a tornado, and everything fled from +before him until he reached the open square, dashed through the midst +of the officers straight up to the General. A few steps from the end of +the journey the strength of the noble horse failed, he broke down +completely; but at the same moment the rider sprang from the saddle and +hastened toward the commander. + +"From the Commanding General." + +Falkenried started at the first word. He had not recognized the +blood-covered face; he only saw that the man who dashed up as if for +life or death must bring an important message. But at the sound of that +voice, an idea of the truth flashed upon him. + +Hartmut swayed and laid his hand for a moment on his brow; it seemed as +if he were about to break down, too, like his horse. But he recovered +with an effort. + +"The General sends word to be cautious--betrayal is planned--the +fortress will be blown up as soon as its garrison has moved off. Here +is the dispatch." + +He tore a paper from his breast and gave it to Falkenried. The officers +had become violently excited at the awful news, and pressed around +their chief as if expecting to hear from him confirmation of the +incredible report. But they had a strange sight before them. + +The General, whose iron composure they all knew--who never lost control +of himself--had turned deathly pale, and stared at the speaker as if a +spirit had risen before him from the ground, while he held the paper +unopened in his hand. + +"Herr General--the dispatch!" + +One of the adjutants who understood the proceedings as little as the +others, gently reminded him; but it was enough to bring Falkenried back +to consciousness. He tore the dispatch open and glanced it over, and +was now again the soldier who knew nothing but his duty. + +With full, firm voice he gave his orders. The officers galloped right +and left; signals and commands resounded in all directions, and in a +few moments the last detachment of soldiers came to a standstill. Upon +the fortress sounded the signal of alarm. Neither friend nor foe knew +what it meant. Did it not appear as if the so recently conquered place +was to be vacated at once? But the orders were executed with the usual +alacrity and dispatch; the movements were completed with perfect +composure, in spite of the haste, and the troops turned back into the +town. + +Falkenried was still in the open square, giving orders, receiving +reports, watching and guiding everything with his eyes. But still he +found a moment's time to turn to his son, to whom he had not as yet +given any sign of recognition. + +"You are bleeding--let it be bandaged." + +Hartmut shook his head hastily. + +"Later--I must first see the retreat--the rescue." + +The awful excitement sustained him; he did not falter again, but +followed with feverish attention every movement of the troops. + +Falkenried looked at him and then asked: + +"Which way did you come?" + +"Over the mountain passes." + +"Over the passes! The enemy stands there." + +"Yes, there they stand." + +"And you came over that way?" + +"I had to, otherwise the news would not have reached here in time. I +started only last night." + +"But that is an heroic deed without an equal! Man, how could you +accomplish it?" exclaimed one of the higher officers, who had just +brought a report and heard the last words. + +Hartmut was silent; only he slowly raised his eyes to his father. He no +longer feared the eyes he had feared so long, and what he read in them +now told him that here, too, he was free from that awful suspicion. + +But even the greatest will power has its limits, and this was reached +with the man who had rendered almost superhuman assistance. The face of +his father was the last thing he saw--then it disappeared as behind a +bloody veil; something hot and wet flowed over his forehead--all became +night around him, and he sank to the ground. + +And now resounded a crash, under the appalling force of which the whole +town trembled and quaked. The citadel, whose outlines had just stood +out sharp and clear against the blue sky, was suddenly transformed into +a crater, vomiting forth fire and destruction. In those walls a hell +seemed to open; showers of rocks and stones rose high in the air, only +to come down with thunderous clatter, and immediately there leaped and +flickered over all the huge pile of débris a giant pillar of fire and +smoke which rose up to the heavens--a terrible sign of flame! + +The warning had arrived at the last possible moment. But, in spite of +it, there was a sacrifice of life, for whoever had been still in the +neighborhood of the citadel had been crushed or severely injured. Still +the loss was small in comparison with the incalculable disaster which +would surely have taken place had not the warning been brought. + +The General, with his officers and nearly all his troops, had been +saved. Falkenried had made all the arrangements required by the +dreadful catastrophe with his usual promptitude and circumspection. He +was everywhere, and his activity and example succeeded in giving back +to the men who had been betrayed in the height of victory their +equilibrium. Only when the commander had done his duty did the father +seek his natural rights. + +Hartmut still lay unconscious in one of the neighboring houses, into +which he had been carried when he sank to the ground. He neither saw +nor heard the father, who stood at his bedside with one of the +physicians. + +Falkenried silently gazed down upon the pale face and closed eyes, then +turned to the physician. + +"You do not consider the wound fatal?" + +The doctor sadly shrugged his shoulders. + +"Not the wound in itself, but the great overexertion of that life and +death ride--the heavy loss of blood, the bitter cold of the night. I +fear, Herr General, you must be prepared for the worst." + +"I am prepared for it," said Falkenried, solemnly. Then he knelt down +and kissed the son whom perhaps he had found only to lose again; and +hot, burning tears fell upon the deathly white face. + +But it was not granted the father to remain with his child for any +length of time; he was forced to leave after a few moments, requesting +the doctor once more to give his greatest care and skill to the +patient. + +At the open square were collected the General's staff and other +officers, awaiting their chief. They knew he was at present with the +wounded man who had brought the warning, and whom nobody knew. + +It had become known that he had come over the mountain passes, through +the midst of the foe--that he had ventured upon a ride the like of +which nobody in the army could imitate--and when the General at last +appeared, everybody gathered around him, questioningly. + +Falkenried was deeply serious, but the rigid, gloomy look which his +face was accustomed to bear had disappeared and given place to an +expression which the attendant officers saw now for the first time. In +his eyes tears still glistened, but his voice sounded firm and clear as +he answered: + +"Yes, gentlemen, he is desperately injured, and perhaps it was his last +ride that brought rescue to us. But he has done his duty as a man and a +soldier, and if you want to know his name--he is my son, Hartmut von +Falkenried!" + + + + + CHAPTER LIX. + + +The old mansion of Burgsdorf lay peaceful and cosy in the brightest +sunlight. It had but recently received back its lord, who had been +absent nearly a year, and who returned now after the war was over, to +his home and his young wife. + +The large estate, with its extensive work, had not suffered through his +long absence, for it had been under safe guidance. The master's mother +had stepped into her old place, and held the reins with her usual firm +hand, until the return of her son; but now she laid those reins +solemnly into his hands again and insisted, in spite of all prayers and +entreaties, upon leaving Burgsdorf and returning to her city home. + +At present Frau von Eschenhagen was standing upon the terrace, the +broad stone steps of which led into the garden, talking with Willibald, +who stood beside her. + +Her glance rested with undeniable satisfaction upon the powerful, manly +form of her son, who appeared even more stately now because of the +acquired military bearing. Perhaps she felt that something different +and better had been made of the young country squire than she could +have done with her education. But she would not have confessed it at +any price. + +"And so you wish to build," she was saying; "I thought about as much. +The plain old house in which your father and I lived so many years is, +of course, not good enough for your little princess. She must be +surrounded by every available splendor. Well, I don't mind; you have +the money for it, and can allow yourself that pleasure. I am glad to +say I have not the responsibility of it any longer." + +"Do not act so grim, mamma," laughed Willibald. "If any one should hear +you, they would think you the worst of mothers-in-law, whereas if I did +not know it from Marietta's letters, I see it daily now, how you spoil +her and carry her upon your hands." + +"Oh, well, one likes to play with pretty dolls sometimes, even in old +age," replied Regine, dryly; "and your wife is such a delicate little +doll, who is only good for play. Do not imagine that she will ever get +to be a competent farm manager. I saw that from the first moment, and +have not allowed her to do it at all." + +"And you were right in that," joined in the young lord. "Work and +management are my part. My Marietta shall not be worried with it. But, +believe me, mamma, one can live and work quite differently when such a +sweet little _singvogel_ sings courage and love of work into one's +heart." + +"Boy, I believe you are crazy still," said Frau von Eschenhagen, with +her old grim manner. "Has it ever been known that a _sensible_ man--a +husband and estate owner--speaks so of his wife--'sweet little +_singvogel_'! Perhaps you get that from your bosom friend, Hartmut, who +is considered by you all as such a great poet. You always did imitate +him as a boy." + +"No, mamma, it is really my own. I have composed poetry but once in my +life, on the night when I saw Marietta in Hartmut's 'Arivana.' The poem +fell into my hands the other day, when I was putting my desk in order, +and I gave it to Hartmut, begging him to change it a little, for, +strange to say, the rhymes would not fit, and I had not done very well +with the meter. Do you know what he said? 'My dear Willy, your poem is +very beautiful as far as sentiment is concerned, but I advise you to +abandon poetry. Such verse is not to be tolerated, and your wife will +seek a divorce if you sing to her in this style.' That is how my 'bosom +friend' judges my poetical talent." + +"It serves you right, too. What does an estate owner have to do with +poetry?" said Regine, caustically. + +The door of the dining room was opened and a small head, running over +with dark curls, peeped out. + +"Is it permitted to disturb the assembly in their important business +discourse?" + +"Come along, you small elf," said Frau von Eschenhagen. But the +permission was superfluous, for the young wife had already flown into +her husband's open arms. He bent over her affectionately and whispered +something in her ear. + +"Are you commencing again?" scolded the mother. "It is really +unbearable in your presence nowadays." + +Marietta only turned her head, without freeing herself from the embrace +which held her so closely, and said, roguishly: "We are celebrating our +honeymoon after the long separation, and you must know from your own +experience how people act then, _nicht wahr_, mamma?" + +Regine shrugged her shoulders. Her honeymoon with the late Eschenhagen +had been of a different kind. + +"You received a letter from your grandfather, Marietta," she said, +changing the subject; "was it good news?" + +"The very best. Grandpapa is quite well and anticipating much pleasure +in his visit to Burgsdorf next month. But he writes that everything is +very quiet around Waldhofen since Rodeck has lost its master. +Everything is closed and desolate since the death of the young Prince. +Ostwalden is lonely, and Furstenstein will be deserted, too, after +Toni's marriage, which occurs in two weeks. Poor Uncle Schonan will be +all alone then." + +The last words were spoken with a certain emphasis as the young wife +threw a peculiar glance at her mother-in-law. + +That upright lady did not pay any attention to it, but only remarked: +"Yes, it is a strange notion of Hartmut and Adelaide to live here in +the pine forest in a small, rented villa during the first weeks of +their married life, while the large castle of Ostwalden and all of the +Stahlberg country seats are at their disposal." + +"They probably wished to remain with their father a little longer," +said Willibald. + +"Well, Falkenried could have taken a vacation in this case and gone +with them. Thank God that the man has really come back to life, since +that terrible bitterness has fallen from him, and he has his son again. +I knew well how very hard the flight of the boy struck him. He secretly +idolized him, while showing him only severity and requiring in turn +nothing but obedience. Of course, what Hartmut accomplished with that +night's ride, by which he saved his father with his troops, erases even +more than a senseless boy's escapade, for which the mother was really +to blame." + +"But we are cheated out of all the wedding festivities in the family," +pouted Marietta. "Willy and I had to be married quietly because the war +broke out, and now, after the war has happily ceased, Hartmut and +Adelaide do just like it." + +"My child, when one has gone through such things as Hartmut has, all +pleasure in festivities is lost," said Frau Eschenhagen, gravely. "And, +besides, he has not fully recuperated yet. You saw how pale he was at +the wedding. Adelaide's first marriage was, indeed, celebrated with +more pomp. Her father insisted upon it, in spite of his low state of +health, and the bride was really a queenly, if cold, apparition in her +satin train and her laces and diamonds. But, truly, she looked +different when she drew near the altar with her Hartmut, in the simple +white silk dress and the dainty veil. I never in my life saw her so +lovely. Poor Herbert! He never possessed the love of his wife." + +"But how could one love such an old Excellency in his diplomatic frock +coat? I could not have done it, either," said Marietta, pertly. + +But she had touched a weak point; her mother-in-law held the +remembrance of her brother in high esteem. + +"The necessity would never have come to you," she remarked, with pique. +"A man like Herbert von Wallmoden would hardly have wooed you--you +little saucy----" + +But she got no further, for the saucy little sprite already hung around +her neck coaxingly. + +"Please don't get angry, mamma. How can I help it that my most +undiplomatic Willy is dearer to me than all the Excellencies in the +whole world, and he is that to you, too; eh, mamma?" + +"You little flatterer!" Regine tried in vain to keep up her severe +mien. "You know very well that nobody can get angry with you. A regime +will now probably commence here at Burgsdorf which has had no +precedent. Willy is ashamed before me now, but after I am gone, he will +surrender to you upon grace or displeasure." + +"Mamma, do you still cling to that idea?" asked Willibald, +reproachfully. "Will you go now, when everything is love and peace +between us?" + +"Just because of that I shall go, so that it may remain. Do not oppose +it, my son. I have to be first where I live and work. You want to be +that now; therefore it is best we are not together; and your little +princess must not get angry about it. We have heretofore had great +anxiety about you, and people do not quarrel when they have to tremble +anew each day for husband and son. But that is over now, and I am still +too much of the old kind to fit myself to your youth. Do whatever you +like, but things must go as I like in my house, and therefore I go." + +She turned and went into the house, while the young lord looked after +her with a half-suppressed sigh. + + + + + CHAPTER LX. + + +"She is right, perhaps," Willibald said, half aloud, as his +mother vanished; "but she will be unhappy alone, and without the +long-accustomed activity. I know that she will not be able to bear the +enforced rest. You ought to have begged her to remain, too, Marietta." + +The young wife laid her curly head upon her husband's shoulder and +looked at him roguishly. + +"Oh, no; I shall do something better. I shall see to it that mamma does +not get unhappy when she leaves us." + +"You? How will you do that?" + +"Quite easily. I shall marry mamma off." + +"But, Marietta, what are you thinking of?" + +"Oh, you wise Willy; have you really not noticed anything?" laughed +Marietta, and it was the old, silvery laugh with which she had +bewitched him at Waldhofen. "And you do not know why Uncle Schonan was +in such a grim temper when we saw him in Berlin three days ago? And why +he did not want to come to Burgsdorf at all, although we begged him so +much? Mamma did not ask him, because she feared a renewed proposal. He +understood it, and consequently he was so angry. I have known all about +it ever so long; even at the time when mamma came to us at Waldhofen, +and he told her so fiercely that she would only use him as a secondary +person at a wedding. I saw then that he would like to be one of the +principals. Willy, you are making a superb face now! You look exactly +as you did at the beginning of our acquaintance." + +The young lord did not, indeed, look very intellectual in his boundless +surprise. He had never considered the possibility of his mother +marrying again, and to her brother-in-law, besides! But it broke upon +him that this was an excellent solution of the difficulty. + +"Marietta, you are surpassingly clever!" he cried, looking with the +greatest admiration at his wife, who accepted the homage with much +satisfaction. + +"I am even more clever than you think," she said, triumphantly, "for I +have put the matter to rights. I got behind Uncle Schonan and gave him +to understand that if he would storm once more now, the fortress would +probably surrender. He grumbled mightily and said that he had had +enough of it and did not want to be made a fool of again; but at last +he reconsidered the matter. He arrived fifteen minutes ago. I did not +dare tell mamma anything about it, and--here he is!" + +She nodded to the Chief Forester, who emerged upon the terrace and +heard the last words. + +"Yes, here I am; but take care, little woman, if you have 'led me +behind the light,' for"--to Willibald--"I have come solely at her +request. She has probably given you the details about how it stands +with us--that is, with me, for your Frau Mamma is probably again +unreasonable, obstinate and self-willed as she usually is--but I will +marry her yet!" + +"All right, uncle, if she will only have you," laughed Willibald, who +could not help thinking this description of his mother from a wooer +very peculiar. + +"Yes, that is the question," said Schonan, doubtfully; "but your wife +thinks----" + +"That we dare not lose another minute!" interrupted Marietta. "Mamma is +in her room, and has no conception of the attack. Willy and I will +remain in the background, and join in the battle if the worst should +happen. Forward, march, uncle; forward, Willy!" + +And Frau Marietta von Eschenhagen, with her little, delicate hands +pushed the stately Chief Forester and her huge husband forward, without +more ado. They patiently submitted, although Schonan muttered: + +"Strange how they all understand how to order one about--little ones as +well as big ones. It must be born in them." + +Regine von Eschenhagen stood at the window of her room, looking out +upon her beloved Burgsdorf, which she intended to leave in a few days. + +Much as she was convinced of the wisdom of this decision, it was yet +not easy to execute it. The strong, restlessly active woman, who had +stood thirty years at the head of a large work, felt a shudder at the +rest and inactivity which awaited her. She had been made acquainted +with the city life during her first separation from her son, and had +been very unhappy in it. + +The door opened and the Chief Forester entered. + +"Moritz, you here!" Regine started with surprise. "This is sensible of +you to come." + +"Yes, I am always sensible," remarked Herr von Schonan, very pointedly. +"Although you did not have the grace to invite me, I came to get your +consent to attend Toni's wedding. Of course, you will come to +Furstenstein with your children?" + +"Yes, certainly we will come; but we were all much surprised at this +haste. Did you not intend to buy an estate first? And that is not +usually accomplished so quickly." + +"No, but they want to get married. Our victors have become very +assuming since their heroic deeds. Waldorf simply declared upon his +return, 'Papa, you said when I left, First win in war and then marry; +now we have won and now I want to marry. I'll not wait any longer. The +estate has time to wait, but not the wedding, for that is the most +important.' So, since Toni is also convinced of this importance, +nothing was left for me to do but to name the wedding day." + +Frau von Eschenhagen laughed. + +"Yes, young people are quick to marry, and they have so much time to +wait." + +"But it is not so with older folks," said Schonan, who had only been +looking for this opportunity and speedily made use of it. "Have you +considered the question at last, Regine?" + +"What question?" + +"Our marrying. I hope you are now in the 'humor' for it?" + +Regine turned away, somewhat offended. + +"You like to be abrupt, Moritz. How did you get into the notion so +suddenly?" + +"What! you call that sudden?" the Chief Forester cried, indignantly. "I +made my first proposal to you five years ago; the second one last year, +and now I come for the third time, and yet you have not had sufficient +time to consider. Yes or no? If you send me away this time, I shall not +come back--depend upon that--and the whole courtship can go where it +wants to." + +Regine did not answer, but it was not indecision which made her +hesitate. Even this strange, original nature had a spice of deep +romance in her heart--love for the man who was once to be her husband, +Hartmut von Falkenried. When he had married another, she too had +pledged her hand, for she was not the kind to mourn her life away +uselessly; but the same bitter pain which had stung the young girl when +she approached the altar, awoke now again in the aging woman and closed +her lips; but it lasted only a few moments, then she threw the dream +from her with decision, and stretched out her hand to von Schonan. + +"Well, then, yes, Moritz. I will be a good and true wife to you." + +"Thank God!" cried Schonan, with a deep sigh of relief, for he had +taken the hesitation as a preliminary to a third refusal. "You should +have said that five years ago, Regine, but better late than never. At +last we have gotten so far." + +And with that the persistent wooer enclosed the finally won life +companion in a hearty embrace. + + + + + CHAPTER LXI. + + +It was a hot summer day. Even in the forest one felt something of the +intense heat which flickered upon meadows and fields. Upon the forest +path a little group walked beneath the tall firs. It was General +Falkenried, with his son and daughter, who were accompanying him a part +of the way to Burgsdorf, where he intended making a visit. + +Falkenried had indeed become another person. + +The war which had been fatal to so many, and made others old before +their time, in spite of the victories and triumphs won, appeared to +have been a source of rejuvenation to him. Although the white hair and +deep furrows in the face remained, witnesses not to be erased of a +painful time, yet the face had life in it again; the eyes had regained +their old fire, and one saw now at the first glance that the man was +not so old, but stood yet in the fulness and power of life. + +Hartmut had not yet entirely recovered, as his appearance proved. The +campaign had not made him younger. He looked older and graver, and the +still pale face, with the broad red scar upon the forehead, spoke of a +time of heavy suffering. + +The wound in itself had not been serious, but had become so through the +severe loss of blood, and the overexertion of the ride in the night of +the severe cold, so that at first all hope had been abandoned, and it +required months of careful nursing to give Hartmut back to life. + +But the old Hartmut, the son of Zalika, with his wild blood and +unbridled desire for freedom, had also died in this time of suffering. +It seemed as if with the name Rojanow, which he had cast forever from +him, the unfortunate inheritance from the mother had also been lost. +The heavy, dark curls were just beginning to grow again, and the high, +powerful forehead appeared more striking in its resemblance to his +father. + +But the young wife at his side bloomed in the fullest beauty of youth +and happiness. Whoever had seen her in her cold hauteur--her icy, +unapproachable manner, would hardly have recognized her in this bright, +slender woman, in her light summer costume, with fresh forest flowers +in her hand. + +The smile and tone with which she spoke to her husband and father had +never been known to Frau von Wallmoden; they had been learned only by +Adelaide von Falkenried. + +"Not any farther, now," said the General, pausing in their walk. "You +have to take the return walk, and Hartmut must still be careful. The +physicians request that he be very prudent." + +"Father, if you only knew how depressing it feels to be considered an +invalid still, when I already feel full of life and power! I am really +well." + +"Do not place in jeopardy again what has been so hardly won," continued +the father. "You have not yet learned patience, but fortunately I know +you are under Ada's supervision, and she is strict on this subject." + +"Yes, had it not been for Ada, there probably would not have been +anything to take care of," said Hartmut, with a look of deepest +affection upon his wife. "I believe I was in rather a hopeless +condition when she came to me." + +"The physicians, at least, gave me no hope when I sent off the dispatch +which called Ada to your side. You called for her in your first +conscious moment, to my boundless surprise, for I did not dream that +you ever knew each other." + +"Was it not right to you, Papa?" asked the young wife, looking +smilingly up to the father, who drew her to his breast and pressed a +kiss upon her brow. + +"You know best what you are to Hartmut and me, my child. I thanked God +that I could leave him under your nursing when I had to march on. And +you were right, too, when you persuaded him to remain here, although +the doctors wished to send him away. He has to learn to feel at home +first in the fatherland--must learn to understand and love again that +from which he has so long been estranged." + +"_Has_ to learn it?" said Ada reproachfully. "What he read to you and +me to-day I should think would show that he has learned it already, and +that this new work bears another language from the wild, glowing +Arivana." + +"Yes, Hartmut, your new work is of great merit," said Falkenried, +giving his hand to his son. "I believe the fatherland will be proud of +my boy, even in times of peace." + +Hartmut's eyes sparkled as he returned the pressure of the hand. He +knew what praise from his father's lips was worth. + +"And now, good-by." The General kissed his daughter-in-law again, "I +will drive from Burgsdorf directly to town, but we shall see each other +in a few days again. Farewell, children!" + +When he had disappeared behind the trees, Hartmut and Adelaide turned +on their homeward way, which led them by the Burgsdorf pond. +Involuntarily they paused beside it, and gazed upon the calm sheet of +water which lay so shiningly in the sun with its wreath of rushes and +water lilies. + +"I have played boys' games here so often with Willy," said Hartmut +softly, "and here my future was decided on that fatal night. I realize +only now what I did to my father in that unfortunate hour." + +"But you have atoned for it fully," returned Ada, leaning her head on +her husband's shoulder. "It has been wiped out before the world, too, +which overwhelmed you and father on all sides with admiration and +appreciation when it was known who had done that heroic deed." + +Hartmut shook his head gravely. + +"It was a deed of despair, not heroism. I did not believe that it would +succeed--nobody believed it; but even if I had fallen I should have +regained my lost honor by that ride through the enemy. Egon knew that, +and for that reason he put the rescue into my hands. When we said +farewell that icy winter night in the shattered walls of the little +chapel, we both felt that it was a final farewell, but we thought, too, +that I should be the victim, for I went into almost certain death. Fate +decreed differently. I was borne as by spirit hands through the dangers +to the accomplishment of my aim, and almost at the same hour Egon fell. +You need not hide your tears from me, Ada; I am not jealous of the +dead, for I loved him just as--he loved you." + +"Eugene brought me his last greeting," said the young wife, in whose +eyes shone the tears she had wished to conceal from her husband. "And +Stadinger, too, wrote me to fulfill his dying master's last request. I +fear the old man will not live much longer; his letter sounded as if he +were utterly crushed." + +"Poor Egon!" In Hartmut's voice sounded the deep pain he felt for his +friend. "He was so full of sunny happiness and joy; he was created for +it and to give it. Perhaps you would have been happier at his side, +Ada, than with your wild, passionate Hartmut, who will trouble you +often enough with the dark side of his nature." + +Ada smiled up at him with the tears still in her eyes. "But I love this +wild, stormy Hartmut, and do not desire any greater happiness than to +be his wife." + +The forest lake lay in dreamy noonday stillness; grave and dark stood +the old firs over it; the rushes at its border whispered low, and +thousands of bright sparkles danced upon its surface. + +Above it curved the blue sky into which the boy had once wished to soar +like the falcon of which his race bore the name, higher and higher to +the sun. It beamed, too, now up there in shining splendor the powerful, +eternal sign of flame in the heavens! + + + + [THE END.] + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sign of Flame, by E. Werner + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIGN OF FLAME *** + +***** This file should be named 35069-8.txt or 35069-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/0/6/35069/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Werner + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Sign of Flame + +Author: E. Werner + +Translator: Eva Freeman Hart + E. Van Gerpen + +Release Date: January 25, 2011 [EBook #35069] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIGN OF FLAME *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + +</pre> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Note:<br> + +Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/signofflame00werniala</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p class="center"><img src="images/p26.png" alt="My son. My only child!"><br> +"My son'. My only child! Do you not know your mother?"<br> +Hartmut retreated, startled. "My mother is dead," he said<br> +in a low tone. Page 26. <i>The Sign of Flame</i>.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THE SIGN OF FLAME.</h1> +<br> + + +<h2>FROM THE GERMAN OF E. WERNER</h2> +<br> + + +<h4>TRANSLATED BY</h4> + +<h3>EVA FREEMAN HART AND E. VAN GERPEN</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div style="margin-left:10%"> +<p style="text-indent: -8px">"Give me a nook and a book,<br> +And let the proud world spin round."</p> +</div> +<br> +<br> + +<h3>A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS,<br> +52-58 DUANE STREET, NEW YORK</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h4>Copyright, 1902. BY A. L. BURT COMPANY.</h4> +<hr class="W10"> +<h4>THE SIGN OF FLAME.<br> + +Translated by <span class="sc">Eva Freeman Hart</span> and <span class="sc">E. Van Gerpen</span>.</h4> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THE SIGN OF FLAME</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Through the gray fog of an autumn morning a flock of birds took flight; +sweeping now, as if in farewell, close to the firs, so recently their +home--rising now to a goodly height, directing their flight toward the +south, and disappearing slowly in the veiled distance.</p> + +<p class="normal">The gloomy eyes of a man standing at a window of the large castle-like +mansion situated at the edge of the forest, followed this flight.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was of tall stature and powerful in physique; the erect bearing +would have betrayed the soldier even without the uniform which he wore: +his features not handsome but strong; hair light, and eyes blue; in +short, a typical German in appearance; but something like a shadow +rested on those features, and the high brow bore deeper furrows than +the years seemed to warrant.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There, the birds are already leaving," he said, pointing to the flock +which fluttered in the distance until lost entirely in the mass of fog. +"The autumn is here in nature and also in our lives."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not yet in yours," interrupted his companion. "You are standing in +full strength at the height of your life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps so considering years; but I feel as if old age would approach +me sooner than any one else. I feel much like the autumn of the year."</p> + +<p class="normal">The other gentleman, who was in civilian dress, was probably older than +his companion. His stature was of medium height and frail. At first +sight he appeared almost insignificant beside the powerful form of the +officer, but the pale, sharply outlined face bore an expression of +cold, superior calm; and the sarcastic line around the thin lips proved +that behind the cold composure expressed in his whole manner something +deeper lay concealed.</p> + +<p class="normal">He now shook his head with displeasure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You take life too hard, Falkenried," he said reproachfully; "you have +changed remarkably in these last years. He who has seen you as a young +officer, merry as the day, would not recognize you now. And why all +this? The shadow which once clouded your life has long ago vanished; +you are heart and soul a soldier; you receive distinction at every +opportunity; an important position is assured you in the near future; +and, what is best--you have kept your son."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried did not reply; he folded his arms and again looked out into +the gray distance. The other continued:</p> + +<p class="normal">"The boy has grown as handsome as a picture in these last few years. I +was quite surprised when I saw him, and even you confess that he is +extraordinarily gifted, and, moreover, in several respects is endowed +with absolute genius."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish Hartmut were less gifted and had more character instead," +Falkenried said in almost harsh tones. "He can make poetry and learn +languages as if it were play, but as soon as he begins earnest study he +remains far behind the others; while as to military strategy, nothing +whatever can be done with him. You have no idea, Wallmoden, what iron +severity I have to bring to bear on that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only fear that you do not accomplish much with this severity," +interrupted Wallmoden. "You should have followed my advice and sent +your son to the University. That he is not cut out for a soldier you +ought now finally to see."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He must and shall be fit for it; it is the only thing possible for his +unruly disposition, which chafes under every curb and feels every duty +a burden. The University--the life of a student--would give him fullest +liberty. Nothing but the iron discipline to which he has to bow keeps +him in check."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, for a while; but can it force him in the future? You should not +deceive yourself. His are, unfortunately, inherited faults, which may +possibly be suppressed, but never uprooted. Hartmut is in appearance +the image of his mother; he has her features--her eyes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I know," Falkenried said, gloomily, "her dark, demoniacal, +glowing eyes, which knew how to charm everything----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And which became your ruin," completed Wallmoden. "How did I not warn +and implore against them, but you would not listen to anything. Passion +had taken hold of you like a fever and held you in bonds altogether. I +have never been able to understand it."</p> + +<p class="normal">A bitter smile flitted around Falkenried's mouth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe that. You, the cool, calculating diplomat who carefully +measure every step, are safe from such charms."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should at least be more careful in my choice. Your marriage brought +misfortune with it from the beginning. A wife of foreign race and +blood--of wild Slavian nature, without character, without any +understanding for that which is custom and duty to us, and you with +your strict principles--your irritable sense of honor--it had finally +to come to such an end. And I believe you loved her up to the +separation in spite of everything!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said Falkenried harshly. "The illusion vanished in the first +year. I saw only too clearly--but I shuddered at the idea of laying my +domestic miseries open to the world by a divorce. I bore it until no +choice was left me--until I finally--but enough of it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned quickly, and again looked out of the window. There was +suppressed torture in the sudden breaking off.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, it needed much to tear a nature like yours from the roots," +Wallmoden said seriously; "but nevertheless the separation left you +free from the unfortunate claim, and with that you should have also +buried the reminiscences."</p> + +<p class="normal">"One cannot bury such reminiscences; they always rise up again from the +supposed grave, and just now----" Falkenried broke off suddenly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just now--what do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing; let us speak of other things. You have been at Burgsdorf +since the day before yesterday. How long do you intend to stay?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps two weeks. I have not much time at my disposal, and am +Willibald's guardian really only in name, since the diplomatic service +keeps me mostly in foreign countries. In fact, the guardianship rests +in the hands of my sister, who rules everything, anyhow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Regine is well up to her position," assented Falkenried. "She +rules the large estates and numerous people like a man."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And issues commands from morning to night like a sergeant," completed +Wallmoden. "With all due appreciation for her excellent qualities, I +always feel a slight rising of the hair at the prospect of a visit to +Burgsdorf, and I return from there regularly with shattered nerves. +Real primitive conditions rule in that place. Willibald is actually a +young bear, but the ideal of his mother for all that. She does her best +to raise him an ignorant young country squire. All interposition is of +no use, for he has every inclination for it, anyway."</p> + +<p class="normal">The entrance of a servant interrupted them. He handed a card to +Falkenried, which the latter glanced at hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Egern, Solicitor. Very well, show the gentleman in."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you a business engagement?" asked Wallmoden, rising. "I will not +disturb you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"On the contrary, I beg you to remain. I have been advised of this +visit, and know what will be discussed. It concerns----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He did not conclude, for the door opened and the one announced entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">He seemed surprised not to find the officer alone, as he had expected, +but the latter took no notice of the surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Egern, Solicitor--Herr von Wallmoden, Secretary of the +Ambassador."</p> + +<p class="normal">The barrister bowed with cool courtesy, and accepted the offered chair.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I probably have the honor of being familiar to you, Herr Major," he +began. "As counsel for your wife, I had occasional cause to meet you +personally in that suit for divorce."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stopped, and seemed to expect an answer, but Major Falkenried only +bowed in mute assent. Wallmoden now began to be attentive. He could now +understand the strangely irritable mood in which he had found his +friend upon his arrival.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I come to-day also in the name of my former client," continued the +lawyer. "She has asked me--may I speak freely?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He cast a glance at the Secretary, but Falkenried said shortly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr von Wallmoden is my friend, and as such is familiar with the +case. I beg you to speak without restraint."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well, then--the lady has returned to Germany after long years of +absence, and naturally wishes to see her son. She has already written +to you on that behalf, but has not received an answer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should consider that a sufficient answer. I do not desire this +meeting, and therefore shall not permit it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That sounds very harsh, Herr Major. Frau von Falkenried has +surely----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Frau Zalika Rojanow, you mean to say," interrupted the Major. "She +resumed her maiden name, so far as I know, when she returned to her +country."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The name is of no consequence," replied the lawyer calmly. "The sole +consideration here is the perfectly justifiable wish of a mother, which +the father cannot and must not deny, even when, as in this case, the +son is given to him unconditionally."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must not! And if he should do it, notwithstanding?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then he oversteps the borders of his rights. I would like to ask you, +Herr Major, to consider the matter calmly before speaking such a +decided 'No.' The rights of a mother cannot be so completely cancelled +by a decision of the court that one may even deny her a meeting with +her only child. The law is upon the side of my client in this case, and +she will enforce it, if my personal appeal is ignored as was her +written request."</p> + +<p class="normal">"She may try it then. I will let it come to the test. My son does not +know that his mother is alive, and shall not learn it just yet. I do +not wish that he should see and speak to her, and I shall know how to +prevent it. My 'No' remains unchanged."</p> + +<p class="normal">These remarks were given quietly, but upon Falkenried's features there +lay an ashy paleness, and his voice sounded hollow and threatening. The +awful excitement under which he labored was apparent; only with supreme +effort could he force himself to outward calm. The lawyer seemed to +understand the fruitlessness of further effort. He only shrugged his +shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If this be your final decision, then my errand is, of course, +finished, and we must decide later upon further moves. I am sorry to +have disturbed you, Herr Major."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took his leave with the same cool politeness with which he had +entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried sprang up and paced the room stormily after the door had +closed upon the lawyer. A depressing silence reigned for a few moments, +after which Wallmoden spoke half audibly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You ought not to have done that. Zalika will hardly submit to your +'No.' If you remember, she carried on a life-and-death struggle for her +child at that time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I remained victor. I hope she has not forgotten that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At that time it concerned the possession of the boy," interrupted the +friend. "The mother now only requests to see him again, and you will +not be able to deny her that when she demands it with decision."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Major came to a sudden standstill, but there was a scarcely veiled +contempt in his voice as he said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"She dares not do that after all that happened. Zalika learned to know +me in our parting hour. She will take care not to force me to extremes +a second time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But she will perhaps try to obtain secretly what you refuse her +openly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That will be impossible; the discipline of our school is too strict. +No relations could be started there of which I would not be notified +immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden did not seem to share this confidence; he shook his head +doubtingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I confess that I consider your keeping, with such persistence, the +knowledge of his mother's existence from your son a mistake. If he +should hear it now from another source--what then? And you will have to +tell him finally."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps after two years, when he enters life independently. He is +still but a scholar--a mere boy. I cannot yet draw the veil from the +tragedy which was once enacted in the home of his parents--I cannot."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then at least be upon your guard. You know your former wife--know what +can be expected from her. I fear there are no impossibilities for that +woman."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I know her," said Falkenried with boundless bitterness, "and just +for that reason I will protect my son from her at any cost. He shall +not breathe the poison of her presence for even an hour. Rest assured, +I do not underrate the danger of Zalika's return, but as long as +Hartmut remains at my side he will be safe from her, for she will not +approach me again. I pledge you my word for that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will hope so," returned Wallmoden, rising and giving his hand, "but +do not forget that the greatest danger lies in Hartmut himself. He is +in every respect the son of his mother. I hear you will come with him +to Burgsdorf the day after tomorrow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; he always spends the short autumn vacation with Willibald. I +myself can probably stay only for the day, but I shall surely come with +him. Au revoir!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Ambassador's Secretary departed, and Falkenried again approached +the window, glancing only hastily after the friend, who bowed once +more. His glance was again lost with the former gloom, in the gray +masses of fog.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The son of his mother!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The words rang in his ears, but there was no need for another to tell +him that. He had long known it, and it was this knowledge that furrowed +his brow so deeply and caused those heavy sighs.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was a man to offer himself to every open danger, but he had +struggled in vain, with all his energy for years, against this +unfortunate inheritance of the blood in his only son.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"Now I request that this utter foolishness shall end, for my patience +is exhausted. There has been an awful turmoil in all Burgsdorf for +three days, as if the place were conjured. Hartmut is full of +foolishness from head to toe. When once he gets free from the rein +which his father draws so tight there is no getting on with him. And +you, of course, go with him through thick and thin, following +obediently everything that your lord and master starts. You are a fine +team!"</p> + +<p class="normal">This lecture, delivered in very loud tones, came from the lips of Frau +von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf, who sat at breakfast with her son and +brother.</p> + +<p class="normal">The large dining-room was in the lower story of the old mansion, and +was a rather bare room, the glass doors of which led to a broad +terrace, and from there into the garden. Some antlers hung upon the +whitewashed walls, giving evidence of the Nimrod proclivities of former +owners. They were also the only ornament of the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">A dozen straightback chairs standing in stiff rows like grenadiers, a +heavy dining table, and two old-fashioned sideboards constituted all of +the furniture, which, as one could see, had already served several +generations.</p> + +<p class="normal">Articles of luxury, such as carpets, wallpaper or paintings, were not +there. The inmates were apparently satisfied with the old, inherited +things, although Burgsdorf was one of the richest estates in the +vicinity.</p> + +<p class="normal">The appearance of the lady of the house corresponded fully with the +surroundings. She was about forty years old; of tall, powerful figure, +blooming complexion, and strong, heavy features, which were very +energetic, but which could never have been beautiful. Nothing escaped +easily the glance of those sharp, gray eyes; the dark hair was combed +back plainly; the dress was simple and serviceable, and one could see +that her hands knew how to work.</p> + +<p class="normal">This robust person lacked gracefulness, certainly, but possessed +something decidedly masculine in carriage and appearance.</p> + +<p class="normal">The heir and future lord of Burgsdorf, who was scolded in this way, sat +opposite his mother, listening, as in duty bound, while he helped +himself bountifully to ham and eggs. He was a handsome, ruddy-faced boy +of about seventeen years, with features which might portray great good +nature, but no surplus of intellect. His sunburned face was full of +glowing health, but otherwise bore little resemblance to his mother's. +It lacked her energetic expression. The blue eyes and light hair must +have been an inheritance from the father. With his powerful but awkward +limbs he looked like a young giant, and offered the completest contrast +to his Uncle Wallmoden, who sat at his side, and who now said with a +tinge of sarcasm:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You really ought not to make Willibald responsible for the pranks and +tricks. He is certainly the ideal of a well-raised son."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should advise him not to be anything else. Obeying of orders is what +I insist upon," exclaimed Frau von Eschenhagen, slapping the table with +such force as to cause her brother to start nervously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, one learns that under your regime," he replied, "but I would like +to advise you, dear Regine, to do a little more for the mental training +of your son. I do not doubt that he will grow up a splendid farmer +under your leadership, but something more is required in the education +of a future lord, and as Willibald has outgrown tutors, it may be time +to send him off."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Send him----" Frau Regine laid down knife and fork in boundless +amazement. "Send him off!" she repeated indignantly. "In gracious name, +where to?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, to the University, and later on let him travel, that he may see +something of the world and its people."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And that he may be totally ruined in this world and among these +people! No, Herbert, that will not do. I tell you right now. I have +raised my boy in honesty and the fear of God, and have no idea of +letting him go into that Sodom and Gomorrah from which our dear Lord +keeps the rain of fire and brimstone by His long-suffering alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you know this Sodom and Gomorrah only by hearsay, Regine," +interrupted Herbert sarcastically. "You have lived in Burgsdorf ever +since your marriage, but your son must one day enter life as a man--you +must acknowledge that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not acknowledge anything," declared Frau von Eschenhagen +stubbornly. "Willy shall be a thoroughly capable farmer. He is fitted +for that and does not need your learned trash for it. Or do you, +perhaps, wish to take him in training for a diplomat. That would be +capital fun!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She laughed loudly, and Willy, to whom this proposition seemed as +ridiculous, joined in in the same key.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Wallmoden did not indulge in this hilarity, which seemed to +jar upon his nerves. He only shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not intend that, indeed; it would probably be lost pains; but I +and Willibald are now the only representatives of the family, and if I +should remain unmarried----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"<i>If?</i> Are you contemplating marriage in your old age?" interrupted his +sister in her inconsiderate manner.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am forty-five years old, dear Regine. That is not usually considered +old in a man," said Wallmoden, somewhat offended. "At any rate, I +consider a late contracted marriage the best, because then one is not +influenced by passion as was Falkenried to his great misfortune, but +one allows reason to guide the decision."</p> + +<p class="normal">"May God help me! Must Willy wait until he has fifty years upon his +back and gray hairs upon his head before he marries!" exclaimed Frau +von Eschenhagen, horrified.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; for he must consider the fact that he is an only son and future +lord of the estates; besides, it will depend upon an individual +attachment. What do you say, Willibald?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young future lord, who had just finished his ham and eggs, and was +now turning with unappeased appetite to the <i>wurst</i>, was apparently +greatly surprised at having his opinion asked. Such a thing happened so +seldom that he was now thrown into a spell of deep musing, declaring as +the result of it:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; I shall probably have to marry some time, but mamma will find me +a wife when the time comes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That she will, my boy," affirmed Frau von Eschenhagen. "That is my +affair; you do not need to worry about it at all. You will remain here +in Burgsdorf, where I shall have you under my eyes. Universities and +travels are not to be considered--that is decided."</p> + +<p class="normal">She threw a challenging glance at her brother, but he was regarding +with a kind of horror the enormous amount of eatables which his nephew +was piling upon his plate for the second time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you always have such a healthy appetite, Willy?" he asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Always," assured Willy with satisfaction, taking another huge piece of +bread and butter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; God be thanked, we do not suffer from indigestion here," said +Frau Regine, somewhat pointedly. "We deserve our meals honestly. First +play and work, then eat and drink, and heartily--that keeps soul and +body together. Just look at Willy, how he has prospered with that +treatment. He need never be ashamed to be seen."</p> + +<p class="normal">She slapped her brother upon the shoulder in a friendly manner at these +words, but so heartily that Wallmoden hastily pushed his chair out of +her reach. His face betrayed plainly that his hair was "standing on +end" again; but he gave up the enforcing of his rights as guardian in +the face of these primitive conditions.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willy, on the contrary, apparently discovered that he had turned out +extraordinarily well, and looked very pleased at this praise of his +mother, who continued now rather vexedly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"And Hartmut has not come to breakfast again! He seems to allow himself +all sorts of irregularities here at Burgsdorf, but I shall lecture the +young man when he comes, and make him----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here he is already!" cried a voice from the garden.</p> + +<p class="normal">A shadow fell athwart the bright sunshine that poured in through the +open window, in which there suddenly appeared a youthful form, which +swung itself through from the outside.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Boy, are you out of your senses that you enter through the window?" +exclaimed Frau von Eschenhagen indignantly. "What are the doors for?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Willy and other well-raised people," laughed the intruder +mirthfully. "I always take the shortest route, and this time it led +through this window."</p> + +<p class="normal">With one jump he landed in the middle of the room from the high sill.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut Falkenried, like the future lord of Burgsdorf, stood at the +border between boyhood and manhood, but beyond that likeness it +required but a glance to see the superiority of Hartmut in every +respect.</p> + +<p class="normal">He wore the cadet uniform, which became him wonderfully, but there was +something in his whole appearance indicative of a revolt against the +strict military cut.</p> + +<p class="normal">The tall, slender boy was a true picture of youth and beauty, but this +beauty had something strange and foreign about it; the movement and +whole appearance had a wild, unruled element; and not a feature +reminded one of the powerful, soldierly figure and grave composure of +the father. The thick, curly hair of a blue-black color, falling over +the high brow, denoted a son of the South, rather than a German; the +eyes also, which glowed in the youthful face, did not belong to the +cold, calm North; they were mysterious eyes, dark as night, yet full of +hot, passionate fire. Beautiful as they were, there was something +uncanny about them.</p> + +<p class="normal">And now the laugh, with which Hartmut looked from one to another of the +assembly, had more of the supercilious about it than of a boy's hearty +mirth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You introduce yourself in a very unconventional manner," said +Wallmoden sharply; "you seem to think that no etiquette is to be +observed at Burgsdorf. I hardly think your father would have permitted +such an entrance into a dining-room."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He does not take such liberties with his father," said Frau von +Eschenhagen, who fortunately did not feel the stab which lay for her +also in her brother's words. "So you finally come now, Hartmut, when +we have finished breakfast? But late people do not get anything to +eat--you know that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I know it," returned Hartmut, quite unconcerned; "therefore I got +the housekeeper to give me some breakfast. You can't starve me out, +Aunt Regine. I am on too good terms with all your people."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you think you will be able to take all sorts of liberties +unpunished," cried the lady of the house angrily. "You break all the +rules of the house; you leave no person nor thing in peace; you stand +all Burgsdorf upon its head! We shall know how to stop all that, my +boy. I shall send a messenger over to your father to-morrow, to ask him +to kindly come for his son, who can be taught no punctuality or +obedience."</p> + +<p class="normal">This threat was effective; the boy grew serious and found it best to +yield.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, all that is only jesting," he said. "Am I not to utilize the short +vacation----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For all sorts of foolishness?" interrupted Frau von Eschenhagen. +"Willy in all his life has not done so many pranks as you in these last +three days. You will ruin him for me by your bad example and make him +also disobedient."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, Willy can't be ruined; all pains are thrown away with him," +confessed Hartmut frankly.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord did not look, indeed, as if he had any inclination to +disobedience. Quite unconcerned by all this conversation, he calmly +finished his breakfast by still another piece of bread and butter; but +his mother was highly incensed over this remark.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are doubtless extremely sorry for that," she exclaimed. "You +have taken pains enough to ruin him. Very well, it remains as I +said--to-morrow I write to your father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To come for me? You will not do that, Aunt Regine. You are too good to +do that. You know very well how strict papa is--how harshly he can +punish. You surely will not accuse me to him--you have never done so +before."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave me alone, boy, with your flatteries." Frau Regine's face was +still very grim, but her voice already betrayed a perceptible wavering, +and Hartmut knew how to take the advantage offered. With the artless +frankness of a boy, he laid his arm around her shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought you loved me a little bit, Aunt Regine. I--I have +anticipated this trip to Burgsdorf so joyously for weeks. I have longed +until I was sick, for forest and lake, for the green meadows and the +wide, blue sky; I have been so happy here--but, of course, if you do +not want me, I shall leave immediately; you do not need to send me +away."</p> + +<p class="normal">His voice sank to a soft, coaxing whisper, while the large, dark eyes +helped with the pleading only too effectively. They could speak more +fervently than the lips; they seemed, indeed, to have peculiar power.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen, who to Willy and all Burgsdorf, was the stern, +absolute ruler, now allowed herself to be moved to compliance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, behave yourself, you Eulenspiegel," she said, running her +fingers through his thick curls. "As to sending you away, you know only +too well that Willy and all my people are perfectly foolish about +you--and so am I."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut shouted in his happiness at these last words, and kissed her +hand in fervent gratitude. Then he turned to his friend, who had now +happily mastered his last sandwich, and was regarding the scene before +him in quiet amazement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you through with your breakfast at last, Willy? Come on; we wished +to go to the Burgsdorf pond--now don't be so slow and deliberate. +Good-by, Aunt Regine. I see that Uncle Wallmoden is not pleased in the +least that you have pardoned me. Hurrah! Now we are off for the woods."</p> + +<p class="normal">And away he dashed over the terraces and down to the garden. There was +in this unruliness an overflowing youthful happiness and strength that +were enchanting; the lad was all life and fire. Willy trotted behind +him like a young bear, and they disappeared in a few seconds behind the +trees and shrubberies.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He comes and goes like a whirlwind," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +looking after them. "That boy cannot be restrained when once the reins +are slackened."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A dangerous lad!" declared Wallmoden. "He understands how to rule even +you, who otherwise rule supreme. It is the first time in my knowledge +that you pardon disobedience and unpunctuality."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Hartmut has something about him that really bewitches a body," +exclaimed Frau von Eschenhagen, half vexed over her yielding. "When he +looks at one with those glowing, black eyes, and begs and pleads +besides, I would like to see the one who could say no. You are right; +he is a dangerous lad."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, very true; but let us leave Hartmut alone now and consider the +education of your own son. You have really decided----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To keep him at home. Do not trouble yourself, Herbert. You may be an +important diplomat and carry the whole political business in your +pockets, but nevertheless I do not surrender my boy to you. He belongs +to me alone, and I keep him--settled!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A hearty slap upon the table accompanied this "settled," with which the +reigning mistress of Burgsdorf arose and walked out of doors; but her +brother shrugged his shoulders, and muttered half audibly: "Let him +become a country squire, for all I care--it may be best, anyhow."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime, Hartmut and Willibald had reached the forest belonging +to the estate. The Burgsdorf pond, a lonely water bordered by rushes in +the midst of the forest, lay motionless, shining in the sunlight of the +quiet morning hour.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord found for himself a shady place upon the bank, and +devoted himself comfortably and persistently to the interesting +occupation of fishing, while the impatient Hartmut roamed around, +starting a bird here, plucking rushes and flowers there, and finally +indulging in gymnastics upon the trunk of a tree which lay half in the +water.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you never be quiet in one place? You scare off all the fishes," +said Willy, displeased. "I have not caught a thing to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How can you sit for hours in one spot waiting for the stupid +fishes--but, of course, you can roam through field and forest all the +year round whenever you like. You are free--free!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you imprisoned?" asked Willy. "Are not you and your companions out +of doors every day?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But never alone--never without restraint and supervision. We are +eternally on duty, even in the hours of recreation. Oh, how I hate +it--this duty and life of slavery!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Hartmut, what if your father should hear that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He would punish me again, then, as usual. He has nothing for me but +severity and punishment. I don't care--it's all the same to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">He threw himself upon the grass, but harsh and disagreeable as his +words sounded, there was in them something like a pained, passionate +complaint.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willy only shook his head deliberately fastening a new bait to his hook +meanwhile, and deep silence reigned for a few moments.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly something dashed down from on high, lightning-like; the water, +just now so motionless, splashed and foamed, and in the next moment a +heron rose high in the air, carrying the struggling, silver-shining +prey in his bill.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bravo! that was a splendid shot," cried Hartmut, starting up, but +Willy scolded vexedly. "The con---- robber strips our whole pond. I +shall tell the forester to keep an eye on him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A robber!" repeated Hartmut, as his eyes followed the heron, which now +disappeared behind the tree-tops. "Yes, surely; but it must be +beautiful--such a free robber's life high up in the air. To dash down +from the heights like a flash of lightning--to grab the booty, then +soar high with it again where no one can follow--that is worthy of the +chase."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut, I actually believe you have a good notion to lead such a +robber's life," said Willy, with the deep horror of a well-raised boy +for such inclinations.</p> + +<p class="normal">His companion laughed, but it was again that harsh, strange laugh which +had in it nothing youthful.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And if I should have it, they would know how to get it out of me at +the cadets' school. There is obedience--discipline--the Alpha and Omega +of all things, and one finally learns it, too. Willy, have you never +longed for wings?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? Wings?" ejaculated Willy, whose full attention was again directed +to hook and line. "Nonsense! who could wish for impossibilities?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish I had some," cried Hartmut, flaming up. "I wish I were one of +the falcons of which we hear. Then I would soar high up into the blue +air--always higher and higher toward the sun, and would never, never +come back."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think you are crazy," said the young lord calmly; "but I have not +caught anything yet; the fish will not bite at all to-day. I must try +another spot."</p> + +<p class="normal">He gathered up his fishing paraphernalia and went to the other side of +the pond.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut threw himself upon the ground again.</p> + +<p class="normal">How could he expect that the stolid, matter-of-fact Willibald should +harbor thoughts of flying!</p> + +<p class="normal">It was one of those autumn days which seem to charm back the summer for +a few short hours--the sunshine was so golden, the air so mild, the +woods so fresh and fragrant. Thousands of brilliant sparkles danced +upon the water; the rushes whispered low and mysteriously as the air +breathed through them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut lay quite motionless, listening to this mystery of whispering +and fluttering. The wild, passionate flame, which had flared up almost +uncannily when he spoke of the bird of prey, had disappeared from his +eyes. Now they were riveted dreamily upon the shining blue of the sky, +with a consuming longing in their depths.</p> + +<p class="normal">Light footsteps drew near, almost inaudible on the soft forest soil; +the bushes rustled as if brushed by a silken garment, and parted; a +female figure emerged noiselessly and stopped short, fixing an intent +look upon the young dreamer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He started and sprang up quickly. He did not know the voice, nor the +stranger, but it was a lady, and he bowed chivalrously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gracious lady----"</p> + +<p class="normal">A slender and trembling hand was laid hastily and warningly upon his +arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hush--not so loud--your companion might hear us, and I must speak with +you, Hartmut--with you alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">She stepped back again and motioned him to follow. Hartmut hesitated a +moment. How came this stranger, whose face was closely veiled, but who, +to judge by her dress, belonged to the highest class, at this lonely +forest pond? And what was the meaning of the familiar "thou" from her +to him, whom she saw now for the first time? But the mystery of the +encounter began to interest him, and he followed her.</p> + +<p class="normal">They stopped under the protection of the bushes where they could not be +seen from the other side, and the stranger slowly raised her veil.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was no longer in her youth--a woman still in her thirties--but the +face with the dark, flashing eyes possessed a strange fascination, and +the same charm was in the voice, which, even in the whisper, was soft +and deep, with a foreign accent, as if the German which she spoke so +fluently was not her native tongue.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut, look at me. Do you really not remember me? Have you not kept +some recollection from your childhood that tells you who I am?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man shook his head slowly, and yet there arose in his mind a +remembrance, misty and dreamlike, that told him he did not now hear +this voice for the first time--that he had seen this face before in +times long, long past. Half timidly, half transfixed, he stood there +gazing upon the stranger, who suddenly stretched out both arms toward +him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My son! my only child! do you not know your mother?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut retreated, startled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My mother is dead," he said in a low tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">The stranger laughed bitterly; it sounded exactly like that harsh, +unchildlike laugh which had come from the lips of the lad only a short +while ago.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So that is it; they have called me dead. They would not leave you even +the memory of your mother. But it is not true, Hartmut. I live--I stand +before you. Look at me! look at my features, which are yours also. They +could not take those from you. Child of my heart, do you not feel that +you belong to me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Still Hartmut stood motionless, looking into the face in which he saw +his own reflected as in a mirror. There were the same features, +the same abundant, blue-black hair; the same large, deep black +eyes--yes--even the strange demoniac expression which glowed like a +flame in the mother's eyes, glimmered as a spark in the eyes of the +son. The natural resemblance showed that they were of the same blood, +and now the voice of that blood woke up in the young man.</p> + +<p class="normal">He did not ask for explanations--for proofs; the confused, dream-like +recollections suddenly became clear. Only one more second of +hesitation, then he threw himself into the arms which were open for +him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mother!"</p> + +<p class="normal">In the exclamation lay the glowing devotion of the lad, who had never +known what it was to possess a mother, and who had longed for it with +all his passionate nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">His mother! As he lay in her arms while she overwhelmed him with +passionate caresses--with tender, fond names such as he had never +heard, all else disappeared in the flood of overwhelming delight.</p> + +<p class="normal">Several minutes passed thus, then Hartmut disengaged himself from the +embrace which would have detained him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why have you never been with me, mamma?" he asked vehemently. "Why did +they tell me that you were dead?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Zalika drew back. In a moment all the tenderness vanished from her +face; a light kindled there of wild, deadly hatred, and the answer came +hissing from her lips:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because your father hates me, my son, and because he did not wish to +leave me even the love of my only child when he thrust me from him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut was silent with consternation. He knew well that no one dared +mention his mother's name in his father's presence--that his father had +once silenced him with the greatest harshness when he had ventured to +ask for her, but he had been too young to muse over the why.</p> + +<p class="normal">Zalika did not give him time for it now. She stroked the dark, curly +hair back from the high forehead, and a shadow rested on her face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have his brow," she said slowly, "but that is the only thing to +remind of him; everything else belongs to me--to me alone. Every +feature tells that you are wholly mine. I knew it would be so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again she embraced him, overwhelming him with caresses, which Hartmut +returned as passionately. It was an intoxication of happiness to +him--like one of the fairy tales of which he had so often dreamed, and +he gave himself up to the charm unquestioningly and unreservedly.</p> + +<p class="normal">But now Willy made himself heard on the opposite bank, calling loudly +for his friend, and reminding him that it was time to return home.</p> + +<p class="normal">Zalika started.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We must part. Nobody must know that I have seen you and spoken with +you, particularly your father. When do you return to him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In eight days."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not until then?" The tone was triumphant. "I shall see you every day +until then. Be here at the pond to-morrow at the same hour. Dispense +with your companion under some pretext, so that we may be undisturbed. +You will come, Hartmut?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly mother, but----"</p> + +<p class="normal">She did not give him time for an excuse, but continued in the same +passionate whisper:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Above all, be silent to everybody; do not forget that. Farewell, my +child, my beloved only son. Au revoir!"</p> + +<p class="normal">One more fervent kiss upon Hartmut's brow, then she vanished in the +bushes as mysteriously as she had appeared. It was quite time, for +Willy appeared on the scene, his approach being heralded by his heavy +stamping upon the forest ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why do you not answer?" he demanded. "I have called three times. Did +you fall asleep? You look as if you had been startled from a dream."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut stood as if stunned, gazing upon the bushes in which his mother +had disappeared. At his cousin's words he straightened himself and drew +his hand across his brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I have been dreaming," he said, slowly; "quite a wonderful, +strange dream."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You might rather have been fishing," said Willy; "just see what a +splendid catch I got over on the other bank. A person ought not to +dream in broad daylight. He ought to be properly occupied, my mother +says--and my mother is always right."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The families of Falkenried and Wallmoden had been friendly for years. +As owners of adjoining estates they visited each other frequently; the +children grew up together, and many mutual interests drew the bonds of +friendship still closer.</p> + +<p class="normal">As both families were only comfortably well off, the sons had their own +way to make, which, after completing their education, Major Hartmut von +Falkenried and Herbert Wallmoden had done. They had been playmates as +children, and had remained true to that friendship when grown to +manhood.</p> + +<p class="normal">At one time the parents thought to cement this friendship by a marriage +between the--at that time--Lieutenant Falkenried and Regine Wallmoden. +The young couple seemed in perfect accord with it, and all looked +propitious for the match, when something took place which brought the +plan to a sudden end.</p> + +<p class="normal">A cousin of the Wallmoden family--an incorrigible fellow who, through +divers bad capers, had made it impossible to remain at home, had, long +ago, gone out into the wide world. After much travel and a rather +adventurous life, he had landed in Roumania, where he acted as +inspector upon the estates of a rich Bojar. The rich man died, and the +inspector thought best to retrieve his lost fortunes and position in +life by marriage with the widow.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was consummated, and he returned to his old home, accompanied by his +wife, for a visit to his relatives, after an absence of more than ten +years.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Wallmoden's bloom of youth had long passed, but she brought +with her her daughter by her first marriage--Zalika Rojanow.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl, hardly seventeen years old, with her foreign beauty and +charm of her glowing temperament, burst like a meteor upon the horizon +of this German country nobility, whose life flowed in such calm, even +channels.</p> + +<p class="normal">And she was a strange object in this circle, whose forms and manners +she disregarded with sovereign indifference, and who stared at her as +at a being from another world. There was many a serious shaking of +heads and much condemnation, which was not uttered aloud, because they +saw in the girl only a temporary visitor, who would disappear as +suddenly as she had come into view.</p> + +<p class="normal">Just about this time Hartmut Falkenried came from his garrison to the +paternal estates, and became acquainted with the new relatives of his +friends. He saw Zalika and recognized in her his fate. It was one of +those passions which spring up lightning-like--which resemble the +intoxication of a dream, and are paid for only too frequently with the +penance of the whole life.</p> + +<p class="normal">Forgotten were the wishes of the parents, his own plans for the +future--forgotten the quiet affection which had drawn him to his +playmate Regine. He no longer had eyes for the domestic flower which +bloomed young and fresh for him; he breathed only the intoxicating +perfume of the foreign wonder-plant. All else disappeared before her, +and in a quiet hour with her he threw himself at her feet, confessing +his love.</p> + +<p class="normal">Strangely enough, his feelings were returned. Perhaps it was the truth +of extremes meeting which drew Zalika to a man who was her opposite in +every respect; perhaps she was flattered by the fact that a glance, a +word from her could change the grave, calm and almost gloomy nature of +the young officer to enthusiasm.</p> + +<p class="normal">Enough, she accepted his proposal and he was permitted to embrace her +as his betrothed.</p> + +<p class="normal">The news of this engagement created a storm in the whole family circle; +entreaties and warnings came from all sides; even Zalika's mother and +stepfather opposed it, but the universal disapproval only increased the +determination of the young couple, and six months later Falkenried led +his young wife into his home.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the voices who prophesied misfortune to this marriage were in the +right. The bitterest disappointment followed the short term of +happiness. It had been a dangerous mistake to believe that a woman like +Zalika Rojanow, grown up in boundless freedom and accustomed to the +uncontrolled, extravagant life of the families of the Bojars of her +country, could ever submit herself to German views and conditions.</p> + +<p class="normal">To gallop about on fiery horses; to associate freely with men who spent +their time in hunting and gambling, and who surrounded themselves in +their homes with a splendor which went hand in hand with the most +corrupted indebtedness of estates--such was life as she had known it so +far, and the only life which suited her.</p> + +<p class="normal">A conception of duty was as foreign to her as the knowledge of her new +position in life. And this woman was to accommodate herself now to the +household of a young officer of but limited means, and to the +conditions of a small German garrison!</p> + +<p class="normal">That this was impossible was proved in the first weeks. Zalika began by +throwing aside every consideration, and furnishing her house in her +usual style, squandering heedlessly her by no means insignificant +dowry.</p> + +<p class="normal">In vain her husband entreated, remonstrated; he found no hearing. She +had only sarcasm for forms and rules which were holy to him; only a +shrug of the shoulder for his strict sense of honor and ideas of +decorum.</p> + +<p class="normal">Very soon they had the most vehement controversies, and Falkenried +recognized too late the serious error which he had committed. He had +counted upon the all-powerful efficacy of love to battle against those +warning voices which had pointed out the difference of descent, +education and character, but he was forced now to recognize that Zalika +had never loved him; that caprice alone, or a sudden outburst of +passion, which died as suddenly, had brought her to his arms.</p> + +<p class="normal">She saw in him now only the uncomfortable companion who begrudged her +every pleasure of life; who, with his foolish--his ridiculous ideas of +honor, fettered and bound her on every side. Still, she feared this +man, whose dominant will succeeded always in bowing her characterless +nature under his rod.</p> + +<p class="normal">Even the birth of little Hartmut was not sufficient to reconcile this +unhappy marriage; it only held it, apparently, together. Zalika loved +her child passionately; she knew her husband would never permit her to +keep it if they separated. This alone retained her at his side, while +Falkenried bore his domestic misery with concealed pain, putting forth +every effort to hide it at least from the world.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nevertheless, the world knew the truth; it knew things of which the +husband did not even dream and which were kept concealed from him +through sheer compassion.</p> + +<p class="normal">But finally the day came when the deceived husband was told what was no +secret to others.</p> + +<p class="normal">The immediate result following was a duel in which Falkenried's +opponent fell. Falkenried himself was imprisoned, but was soon +pardoned.</p> + +<p class="normal">Every one knew that the offended husband had only vindicated his honor.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime, steps were taken for a divorce, which was granted in +due time. Zalika made no opposition. She dared not approach her +husband; she trembled before him since that hour of separation, when he +had called her to account; but she made desperate efforts to secure the +possession of her child, fighting as for life.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was in vain. Hartmut was given unconditionally to his father, who +knew how to prevent every approach of the mother with iron +inflexibility.</p> + +<p class="normal">Zalika was not even allowed to see her son again, and it was only after +convincing herself entirely on that point that she left--returning to +the home of her mother.</p> + +<p class="normal">She had seemed lost to and forgotten by her former husband until she +suddenly reappeared in Germany, where Major Falkenried now held an +important position in the large military school at the Residenz.</p> + +<p style="text-align:center; letter-spacing:20px">* * * * *</p> + +<p class="normal">It was about a week after the arrival of Hartmut at Burgsdorf. Frau von +Eschenhagen was in her sitting-room with Major Falkenried, who had but +just arrived.</p> + +<p class="normal">The topic of their conversation seemed to be very serious and of a +rather disagreeable nature, for Falkenried listened with a gloomy face +to his friend, who was speaking.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I noticed Hartmut's changed demeanor the third or fourth day. The boy, +whose mirth at first knew no bounds, so that I even threatened to send +him back home, suddenly became subdued. He committed no more foolish +pranks, but roamed for hours through the woods alone, and when he +returned was always dreaming with his eyes open, to such an extent that +one had almost to awake him. 'He is beginning to get sensible,' said +Herbert; but I said, 'Things are not going right; there is something +behind all this,' and I questioned my Willy, who also appeared quite +peculiar. He was actually in the plot. He had surprised the two one +day. Hartmut had made him promise to keep silent, and my boy positively +hid something from <i>me, his mother!</i> He confessed only when I got after +him seriously. Well, he will not do it a second time. I have taken care +of that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And Hartmut? What did he say?" interrupted the Major hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing at all, for I have not spoken a syllable to him about it. He +would probably have asked me why he should not see and speak to his own +mother, and only--his father can give him the answer to that question."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He has probably heard it already from the other side," said Falkenried +bitterly; "but he has hardly learned the truth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fear so, too, and therefore I did not lose a minute in notifying you +after discovering the affair. But what next?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall have to interfere now," replied the Major with forced +composure. "I thank you, Regine. I apprehended trouble when your letter +called me so imperatively. Herbert was right. I ought not to have +allowed my son to leave my side for an hour under the circumstances. +But I believed him safe from every approach here at Burgsdorf. And he +anticipated the trip with such pleasure--he longed for it almost +passionately. I did not have the heart to refuse him. He is happy, +anyway, only when absent from me."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was deep pain in the last words, but Frau von Eschenhagen only +shrugged her shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is not the fault of the boy alone," she said straightforwardly. +"I also keep my Willy under good control, but nevertheless he knows +that he has a mother whose heart is full of him. Hartmut does not know +that of his father. He knows him only from a grave, unapproachable +side. If he had an idea that you idolize him secretly----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He would abuse the knowledge and disarm me with his caressing +tenderness. Shall I allow myself to be ruled by him as every one else +is who comes into his presence? His comrades follow him blindly +although he brings punishment upon them by his pranks. He has your +Willibald completely under control--yes, even his teachers treat him +with particular indulgence. I am the only one he fears, and +consequently the only one he respects."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you think by fear alone to succeed with the boy, who is doubtless +now being overwhelmed with the most senseless caresses! Do not turn +away, Falkenried; you know I have never mentioned that name to you, but +now that it is brought forward so prominently, one may speak it. And +since we happen to be upon the subject, I tell you frankly that nothing +else could be expected since Frau Zalika's appearance. It would have +done no good to have kept Hartmut from Burgsdorf, for one cannot treat +a seventeen-year-old lad like a little child. The mother would have +found her way to him in spite of all--and it was her right. I would +have done just so, too."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Her right!" cried the Major angrily. "And you tell me that, Regine?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I say it because I know what it is to have an only child. That you +should take the child from its mother was right--such a mother was not +fit for the raising of a boy--but that you now refuse to let her see +her son again after twelve years is harshness and cruelty, which hatred +alone can teach you. However great her faults may be, that punishment +is too severe."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried stared gloomily before him--he might have felt the truth of +the words. Finally he said, slowly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would never have thought that you would take Zalika's part. I +offended you bitterly once for her sake--I broke a bond----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which had not even been tied," interrupted Frau von Eschenhagen. "It +was a plan of our parents--nothing more."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the idea was dear and familiar to us from childhood. Do not +attempt to excuse me, Regine; I only know too well what I did at that +time to you and--to myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine fixed her clear, gray eyes upon him, but there was a moist gleam +in them as she replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, yes, Hartmut; now since we are both long past our youth, I may, +perhaps, confess that I liked you then. You might have been able to +make something better of me than I am now. I was always a self-willed +child--not easy to rule; but I would have followed you--perhaps you +alone of all the world. When I went to the altar with Eschenhagen three +months after your marriage, matters were reversed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I took the reins into my own hands and began to command, and since then +I have learned it thoroughly---- But now, away with that old story, +long since past. I have not thought hard of you because of it--you know +that.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have remained friends in spite of it, and if you need me now, in +advice as well as deed, I am ready to help you."</p> + +<p class="normal">She offered her hand, which he grasped.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it, Regine, but I alone can advise here. Please send Hartmut to +me. I must speak to him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen arose and left the room, murmuring as she went: +"If only it is not too late already! She blinded and enraptured the +father once. She has probably secured her son now."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut entered the room and closed the door behind him, but remained +standing near it. Falkenried turned toward him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come nearer, Hartmut; I must speak with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The youth obeyed, drawing near slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">He already knew that Willibald had had to confess; that his rendezvous +with his mother had been betrayed; but the awe with which he always +approached his father was mingled to-day with defiance, which was not +unnoticed by the Major.</p> + +<p class="normal">He scanned the youthful, handsome person of his son with a long, gloomy +glance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My sudden arrival does not seem to surprise you," he began; "you +probably know what brought me here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, father, I surmise it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well, we do not need then to continue with preliminaries. You +have learned that your mother is still living. She has approached you +and you are in communication with her. I know it already. When did you +see her for the first time?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Five days ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And since then you have spoken with her daily?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, near the Burgsdorf pond."</p> + +<p class="normal">Question and reply alike sounded curt and calm.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut was accustomed to this strict, military manner, even in his +private intercourse with his father, who never allowed a superfluous +word, a hesitation or evasion in the answers. This tone was kept up +even to-day to veil his painful excitement from the eyes of his son. +Hartmut saw only the grave, unmoved face; heard only the sound of cold +severity as the Major continued:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will not make it a reproach to you, as I have never forbidden you +anything regarding it; the subject has never been mentioned between us. +But since matters have gone so far, I will have to break the silence. +You thought your mother dead, and I have silently allowed you to think +so, for I wished to save you from reminiscences which have poisoned my +life. I meant that your youth, at least, should be free from it. It +seems that it cannot be, so you may hear the truth."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused for a moment. It was torture to the man, with his delicate +sense of honor, to talk on this subject before his son, but there was +no longer a choice--he must speak on.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I loved your mother passionately when a young officer, and married her +against the wish of my parents, who saw no good to result from a +marriage with a woman of foreign race. They were right, the marriage +was deeply unfortunate, and we finally separated at my desire. I had an +undeniable right to demand the separation, and also the possession of +my son, which was granted me unconditionally. I cannot tell you any +more, for I will not accuse the mother to the son; therefore let this +suffice you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Short and harsh as this explanation sounded, it yet made a strange +impression upon Hartmut. The father would not accuse the mother to him, +who had been hearing daily the most bitter accusation, abuse and +slander against the father.</p> + +<p class="normal">Zalika had put the whole blame of the separation upon her husband, upon +his unheard-of tyranny, and she found only too willing a listener in +the youth whose unruly nature suffered so intensely under that +severity. And yet those short, earnest words now weighed more than all +the passionate outbursts of the mother. Hartmut felt instinctively upon +which side the truth stood.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But now to the most important point," resumed Falkenried. "What has +been the subject of your conversation?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut had not expected this question, and a burning blush suffused +his face. He was silent and looked to the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, so! you do not dare to repeat it to me; but I request to know it. +Answer, I command you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">But Hartmut remained silent; he only closed his lips more firmly, and +his eyes met his father's with dark defiance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried now drew nearer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will not speak? Has a command from that side, perhaps, made you +silent? Never mind, your silence says more than words. I see how much +estranged from me you have become, and you would become lost entirely +to me if I should leave you longer under that influence. These meetings +with your mother must be ended. I forbid them. You will accompany me +home to-day and remain under my supervision. Whether it seems cruel to +you or not, it must be so, and you will obey."</p> + +<p class="normal">But the Major was mistaken when he thought to bow his son to his will +by a simple command.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut had been in a school during these last days where defiance +against the father had been taught him in the most effectual manner.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, you will not--you cannot command that," he burst forth now +with overpowering vehemence. "It is my mother who is found again; the +only one in the whole world who loves me. I shall not let her be taken +from me again as she has already been taken. I shall not allow myself +to be forced to hate her because you hate her. Threaten--punish me do +whatever you will with me, but I do not obey this time. I will not +obey."</p> + +<p class="normal">The whole unruly, passionate nature of the young man was in these +words; the uncanny fire flamed again in his eyes; the hands were +clenched; every fibre throbbed in wild rebellion. He was apparently +decided to do battle against the long-feared father.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the burst of anger which he so confidently expected did not come. +Falkenried only looked at him silently, but with a glance of grave, +deep reproach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The only one in the whole world who loves you!" he repeated slowly. +"You have, perhaps, forgotten that you still have a father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who does not love me, though," cried Hartmut in overwhelming +bitterness. "Only since I have found my mother have I known what love +is."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The youth looked up, startled by the strange, pained tone which he +heard for the first time, and the defiance which was about to break +forth again died on his lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I have no pet names and caresses for you; because I have +raised you with seriousness and firmness, do you doubt my love?" said +Falkenried, still in the same voice. "Do you know what this severity +toward my only, my beloved child has cost me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The word sounded still timid and hesitating, but no longer with the old +fear and awe; it now contained something like budding faith and trust; +like a happy but half-comprehended surprise, and with it Hartmut's eyes +hung as if riveted upon his father's features. Falkenried now put his +hand upon his son's arm, drawing him nearer, while he continued:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I once had high ambitions, proud hopes of life, great plans and +aspirations, which came to an end when a blow fell upon me from which I +shall never be able to rally. If I still aspire and struggle, it is +from a sense of duty and because of you, Hartmut. In you centers all my +ambition; to make your future great and happy is the only thing which I +yet desire of life; and your future can be made great, my son, for your +gifts are extraordinary ones; your will is strong in good as well as +evil. But there is yet something dangerous in your nature, which is +less your fault than your doom, and which must be taken in hand in +time, if it is not to develop and dash you into destruction. I had to +be severe to banish this unfortunate tendency; it has not been easy for +me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The face of the youth was covered by a deep blush. With panting breath +he seemed to read every word from his father's lips, and now he said in +a whisper, in which the suppressed joy could scarcely be hidden:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have not dared to love you so far. You have always been so cold--so +unapproachable, and I----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He broke off and glanced up at his father, who now put his arm around +Hartmut's shoulders, drawing him still closer to him. Then eyes looked +deep into eyes, and the voice of the iron man broke as he said, lowly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are my only child, Hartmut, the only thing which has remained to +me from a dream of happiness that dispersed in bitterness and +disappointment. I lost much at that time and have borne it; but if I +should lose you--you--I could not bear it."</p> + +<p class="normal">His arms closed around his son tightly, as if they could never be +detached. Hartmut had thrown himself sobbing upon his father's breast, +and father and son held each other in a long, passionate embrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">Both had forgotten that a shadow from the past still stood +threateningly and separatingly between them.</p> + +<p style="text-align:center; letter-spacing:20px">* * * * *</p> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime, Frau von Eschenhagen, in her dining-room, was giving +Willy a curtain lecture. She had done so, in fact, this morning, but +was of the opinion that a double portion would not come amiss in this +case. The young heir looked completely crushed. He felt himself in the +wrong, as well toward his mother as toward his friend, and yet he was +quite blameless. He allowed himself to be lectured patiently, like an +obedient son, only throwing an occasional sad look over at the supper +which already stood upon the table, although his mother did not take +any notice of it at all.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is what comes of having secrets behind the backs of parents," she +said severely, concluding her lecture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut is getting what he deserves in yonder; the Major will not +treat him very mildly. I think you will let playing helpmate in such, a +plot alone in the future."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I have not helped in it," Willy defended himself. "I had only +promised to be silent and I had to keep my word."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You ought not dare to keep silence to your mother; she is always an +exception," Frau Regine said decidedly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, mamma, Hartmut probably thought so, too, when it concerned his +mother," remarked Willibald, and the remark was so correct that she +could not well say anything against it; but that angered her the more.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is different--entirely different," she said curtly; but the young +lord asked persistently:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why is it entirely different?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Boy, you will kill me yet with your questions and talking," cried his +mother angrily. "That is an affair which you do not and shall not +understand. It is bad enough that Hartmut has brought you in connection +with it at all. Now do you keep quiet, and do not concern yourself +further about it. Do you hear?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Willy was dutifully silent. It was perhaps the first time in his life +that he had been reproved for too much talking; besides, his Uncle +Wallmoden, who had just returned from a drive, entered now.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Falkenried has already arrived, I hear," he said, approaching his +sister.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," she replied. "He came immediately upon receiving my letter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And how has he borne the news?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Outwardly very calm, but I saw only too well how it rent his +heartstrings. He is alone now with Hartmut, and the storm will probably +burst."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry; but I prophesied this turn of affairs when I learned of +Zalika's return. He ought to have spoken then to Hartmut. Now I fear he +will but add a second mistake to the first one by trying to accomplish +a separation by force and dictating. This unfortunate obstinacy which +knows only 'either--or'! It is least of all in the right place here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, the meeting yonder lasts too long for me," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with concern. "I shall go and see how far the two have +gotten, whether it offends the Major or not. Remain here, Herbert; I +shall return directly."</p> + +<p class="normal">She left the room, which Wallmoden paced disconsolately. His nephew sat +alone at the supper table, about which nobody seemed to think. He did +not dare to begin eating by himself, for a regular turmoil reigned +to-day in Burgsdorf, and the Frau Mamma was in a very ungracious mood. +But fortunately she returned after a few minutes, and her face was +beaming with satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The affair is settled in the best way," she said in her short and +decided tone. "He has the boy in his embrace. Hartmut is hanging upon +his father's neck, and the rest will arrange itself easily now. God be +praised! And now you may eat your supper, Willy. The confusion which +has disturbed our whole household has come to an end."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willy did not allow himself to be told twice, but made brisk use of the +coveted permission. But Wallmoden shook his head and muttered: "If it +were only truly at an end!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Neither Falkenried nor his son had noticed that the door had been +quietly opened and closed again. Hartmut still clung to his father's +neck. He seemed to have lost in a moment all awe and reserve, and was +overwhelmingly lovable in his new-found, stormy caresses, the charm of +which the Major had rightly feared would disarm him. He spoke but +little, but again and again he pressed his lips upon the brow of his +son, looking steadily into the beautiful face, full of life, which +pressed so close to his own.</p> + +<p class="normal">Finally Hartmut asked in a low voice: "And--my mother?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A shadow passed again over Falkenried's brow, but he did not release +his son from his arms.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your mother will leave Germany as soon as she is convinced that she +must in the future, as in the past, stay away from you," he said, this +time without harshness, but with decision. "You may write to her. I +will allow a correspondence with certain restrictions, but I cannot--I +dare not permit a personal intercourse."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, think----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot, Hartmut; it is impossible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you hate her, then, so very much?" asked the youth reproachfully. +"You wished the separation--not my mother--I know it from herself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried's lips quivered. He was about to speak the bitter words and +tell his son that the separation had been at the command of honor; but +he looked again in those dark, inquiring eyes, and the words died +unspoken. He could not accuse the mother to the son.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let that question rest," he replied gloomily; "I cannot answer it to +you. Perhaps you will learn my reasons later and will understand them. +I cannot spare you the hard choice now. You can belong only to one--the +other you must shun. Accept it as a doom."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut bowed his head; he might have felt that nothing further could +be gained. That the meetings with his mother had to end when he +returned to the strict discipline of the school, he knew; but now a +correspondence was permitted, which was more than he had dared to hope +for.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I will tell mamma so," he said in a crestfallen way. "Now, since +you know everything, I may see her openly, may I not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Major started; he had not considered this possibility.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When were you to see her again?" he asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To-day, at this hour, at the Burgsdorf pond. She is surely awaiting me +there now."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried seemed to battle with himself. A warning voice arose in him +not to allow this leave-taking, yet he felt that to refuse would be +cruel.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you be back in two hours?" he asked finally.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, father; even earlier if you desire it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go, then," said the Major, with a deep breath. One could hear how +reluctant was the permission which his sense of duty forced from him. +"We shall drive home as soon as you return. Your vacation ends shortly, +anyway."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut, who was just about to leave, came to a standstill. The words +recalled to him what he had entirely forgotten in the last half hour: +the discipline and severity of the service which was awaiting him. +Heretofore he had not dared to betray his aversion to it openly, but +this hour which banished the awe of his father broke also the seal from +his lips. Obeying a sudden impulse, he turned and put his arms again +around the neck of his father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have a request," he whispered, "a great, great request which you +must grant me; and I know you will do it as a proof that you love me."</p> + +<p class="normal">A furrow appeared between the Major's eyebrows as he asked with slight +reproach: "Do you require proofs of it? Well, let's hear it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut nestled still more closely to him; his voice had again that +sweet, coaxing sound which made his prayers so irresistible, and the +dark eyes implored intensely, beseechingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not let me become a soldier, father. I do not love the calling for +which you have decided me. I shall never learn to love it. If I have +bowed until now to your will, it has been with aversion, with secret +grumbling, and I have been unbearably unhappy, only I did not dare to +confess it to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The furrow on Falkenried's brow sank deeper, and he released his son +slowly from his embrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That means, in other words, that you do not like to obey," he said +harshly, "and just that is more important to you than to any one else."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I cannot bear any compulsion," Hartmut burst forth passionately, +"and the military service is nothing but duty and fetters. To obey +always and eternally--never to have a will of your own--to bow day +after day to an iron discipline and strict, cold forms by which every +individual movement is suppressed. I cannot bear it any longer. +Everything in me demands freedom for light and life. Let me go, father; +do not keep me any longer in these bonds. I die--I suffocate under +them."</p> + +<p class="normal">To a man, who was heart and soul a soldier, he could not have done his +cause greater harm than by these imprudent words. It sounded like a +stormy, glowing prayer. His arm yet lay around his father's neck, but +Falkenried now straightened himself suddenly and pushed him back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should consider the service an honor and no fetter," he said +cuttingly. "It is sad that I should have to recall that to my son's +mind. Freedom--light--life! You think perhaps that one can throw +himself at seventeen years into life and grasp all its treasures. The +longed-for freedom for you would be only recklessness, ruin, +destruction."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what if it should be so!" cried Hartmut, totally beside himself. +"Better go to ruin in freedom than to live in this depression. To me it +is a chain--a fetter--slavery----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Be silent! not a word further," commanded Falkenried so threateningly +that the youth grew silent despite his awful excitement. "You have no +choice, and take care that you do not forget your duty. You must become +an officer and fulfill your duty completely as does every one of your +comrades. When you are of age, I no longer have any power to hinder +you. You may then resign, even if it give me my deathblow to see my +only son flee the service."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, do you consider me a coward?" Hartmut burst forth. "I could +stand a war--I could fight----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You would fight foolhardily and rush blindly into every danger; and +with this obstinacy which knows no discipline you would destroy +yourself and your men. I know this wild, boundless desire for freedom +and life to which no barrier, no duty is sacred. I know from whom you +have inherited it and where it will finally lead; therefore I keep you +securely in the 'fetters,' no matter whether you hate it or not. You +shall learn to obey and to bow your will while yet there is time; and +you shall learn it. I pledge my word to that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again the old, inflexible harshness sounded in his voice; every line of +tenderness, of softness, had disappeared, and Hartmut knew his father +too well to continue supplication or defiance. He did not answer a +syllable, but his eyes glowed again with that demoniac spark which +robbed him of all his beauty; and around his lips, which were pressed +closely together, there settled a strange, bad expression as he now +turned to go.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Major's eyes followed him. Again the warning voice came to him like +a presentiment of evil, and he called his son back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut, you are sure to be back in time? You give me your word?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, father." The answer sounded grim, but firm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well. I shall trust you as a man. I let you go in peace with this +promise which you have given me. Be punctual."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut had been gone but a few moments when Wallmoden entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you alone?" he asked, somewhat surprised. "I did not wish to +disturb you, but I saw Hartmut hasten through the garden just now. +Where was he going so late?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To his mother, to take leave of her."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Secretary started at this news. "With your consent?" he asked +quickly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, I have permitted him to go."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How imprudent! I should think that you knew now how Zalika manages to +get her own way, and yet you leave your son to her mercy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For only half an hour to say farewell. I could not refuse that. What +do you fear? Surely no force. Hartmut is no longer a child to be borne +into a carriage and carried off in spite of his resistance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But if he should not refuse a flight?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have his word that he will return in two hours," said the Major with +emphasis.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The word of a seventeen-year-old lad!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who has been raised a soldier and who knows the importance of a word +of honor. That gives me no care; my fear lies in another direction."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Regine told me that you were reconciled," remarked Wallmoden, with a +glance upon the still clouded brow of his friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For a few moments only; after that I had to become again the firm, +severe father. This hour has showed me how hard the task is to bend, to +educate this roving nature. Nevertheless I shall conquer him."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Secretary approached the window and looked out in the garden.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is twilight already, and the Burgsdorf pond is half an hour's +distance," he said, half aloud. "You ought to have allowed the +rendezvous only in your presence, if it had to take place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And see Zalika again? Impossible! I could not and would not do that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But if the leave-taking end differently from what you expect--if +Hartmut does not return?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then he would be a scoundrel to break his word!" burst out Falkenried; +"a deserter, for he carries the sword already at his side. Do not +offend me with such thoughts, Herbert; it is my son of whom you speak."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is also Zalika's son; but do not let us quarrel about that now. +They await you in the dining room. And you will really leave us +to-day?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, in two hours," the Major said, calmly and firmly. "Hartmut will +have returned by that time. My word stands for that."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The gray shadows of twilight were gathering in forest and field, +becoming closer and denser with every moment. The short, foggy autumn +day drew near its close. Through the heavy-clouded sky the night +lowered sooner than usual.</p> + +<p class="normal">A female figure paced impatiently and restlessly up and down the bank +of the Burgsdorf pond. She had drawn the dark cloak tightly around her +shoulders, but was unmindful of her shivering, caused by the cold +evening air. Her whole manner was feverish expectation and intense +listening for the sound of a step which could not as yet be heard.</p> + +<p class="normal">Zalika had arranged the meetings with her son for a later hour, when it +was desolate and dim in the forest, since the day Willibald had +surprised them and had to be admitted into the secret. They had parted, +however, before dark, so that Hartmut's late return should not cause +suspicion at Burgsdorf. He had always been punctual, but now his mother +had waited in vain for an hour.</p> + +<p class="normal">Did a trifle detain him, or was the secret betrayed? One had to expect +that, since a third party knew it.</p> + +<p class="normal">Deathlike silence reigned in the forest; the dry leaves alone rustled +beneath the hem of the gown of the restlessly moving woman.</p> + +<p class="normal">Night shades already lingered under the tree-tops; a cloud of mist +floated over the pond where it was lighter and more open; and over +there where the water was bordered by a marsh, whitish-gray veils of +mist arose yet more thickly. The wind blew damp and cold from over +there, like the air of a vault. A light footstep finally sounded at a +distance, coming nearer in the direction of the pond with flying haste. +Now a slender figure appeared, scarcely recognizable in the gathering +dusk. Zalika flew toward him, and in the next moment her son was in her +arms.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What has happened?" she demanded, amidst the usual stormy caresses. +"Why do you come so late? I had given up in despair seeing you to-day. +What kept you back?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I could not come any sooner," panted Hartmut, still breathless from +his rapid run. "I come from my father."</p> + +<p class="normal">Zalika started.</p> + +<p class="normal">"From your father? Then he knows----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So he is at Burgsdorf? Since when? Who notified him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man, with fluttering breath, reported what had happened, but +he had not finished when the bitter laugh of his mother interrupted +him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Naturally they are all in the plot when it concerns the tearing of my +child from me. And your father, he has probably threatened and punished +and made you suffer for the heavy crime of having been in the arms of +your mother?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">The remembrance of that moment when his father drew him to his breast +stood firm, in spite of the bitterness with which that scene had ended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," he said in a low voice; "but he commanded me not to see you +again, and requested irrevocable separation from you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet you are here? Oh, I knew it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The exclamation was full of joyous victory.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not triumph too soon, mamma," said the youth bitterly. "I came only +to say farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father knows it. He allowed me this meeting, and then----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then he will grasp you again, and you will be lost to me forever, is +it not so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut did not answer; he folded his mother in his arms, and a wild, +passionate sob, which had in it as much of anger as pain, escaped his +breast.</p> + +<p class="normal">It had now grown quite dark; the night had commenced; a cold, gloomy +autumn night, without moon or star shining, but over there upon the +marsh where lately the veils of mist floated, something now shot up +with a bluish light, glimmering dimly in the fog, but growing brighter +and clearer like a flame; now appearing, now disappearing, and with it +a second and a third. The will-o'-the-wisp had commenced its ghostly, +uncanny play.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You weep," cried Zalika, pressing her son closely to her; "but I have +seen it coming long ago, and if your Eschenhagen had not betrayed us, +the day you had to return to your father would have brought your forced +choice between separation or--decision."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What decision? What do you mean?" asked Hartmut, perplexed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Zalika bent over him, and, although they were alone, her voice sank to +a whisper.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you bow feebly and defenselessly to a tyranny which tears asunder +the sacred bond between mother and child, and which stamps under foot +our rights as well as our love? If you can do that, you are not my son; +you have inherited nothing of the blood that flows in my veins. He sent +you to bid me farewell, and you accept it patiently as a last favor. +Have you really come to take leave of me, perhaps for years? Actually, +have you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have to," interrupted the youth despairingly. "You know father and +his iron will. Is there any possibility of anything else?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you return to him, no. But who forces you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma, for God's sake!" shrieked Hartmut, terrified. But the +encircling arms did not release him, and the hot, passionate whisper +again reached his ear:</p> + +<p class="normal">"What frightens you so at the thought? You will only go with your +mother, who loves you devotedly, and who will henceforth live for you +alone. You have told me repeatedly that you hate the vocation which is +forced upon you, that you languish with longing for freedom. There is +no choice there for you; when you return your father will keep you +irrevocably in the fetters. If he knew that you would die of them, he +would not let you free."</p> + +<p class="normal">She had no need to tell that to her son; he knew it better than she +did. Only an hour ago he had seen the full inflexibility of his father, +his hard "You shall learn to obey and bow your will."</p> + +<p class="normal">His voice was almost smothered in bitterness as he answered: +"Nevertheless, I must return. I have given my word to be back at +Burgsdorf in two hours."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really," said Zalika, sharply and sarcastically; "I thought so. +Usually you are nothing but a boy, whose every step is prescribed; +whose every moment counted out; who ought not even to have his own +thoughts; but as soon as the retaining of you is concerned, you are +given the independence of a man. Very well; now show that you are not +only grown in words, but that you can also act like a man. A forced +promise has no value. Tear asunder this invincible chain with which +they want to bind you and make yourself free."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No--no," murmured Hartmut, with a renewed attempt to free himself. But +he did not succeed. He only turned his face and looked with fixed eyes +out into the night, into the desolate, silent forest darkness and over +yonder where the will-o'-the-wisp still carried on its ghostly dance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Those quivering, tremulous flames appeared now everywhere; seeming +to seek and flee from each other, they floated over the ground, +disappearing or dissolving in the ocean of fog, only to reappear +again and again. There was something ghastly yet fascinating in this +spectre-like play; the demoniac charm of the depths which that +treacherous mire concealed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come with me, my Hartmut," implored Zalika, now in those sweet, +coaxing tones which were so effectively at hers as well as at her son's +command. "I have foreseen everything and prepared for it. I knew that a +day like this had to come. My carriage awaits me half an hour's +distance from here. It will take us to the next station, and before +anybody at Burgsdorf thinks you will not return, the train will have +carried us into the far country. There are freedom, light and +happiness. I will lead you out into the great distant world, and after +you know that, you will breathe with relief and shout like a redeemed +man. I myself know how one released feels. I too have borne that chain +which I riveted myself in foolish error, but I would have broken it in +the first year but for you. Oh, it is sweet, this freedom. You will +feel it, too."</p> + +<p class="normal">She knew only too well how to succeed. Freedom, life, light! These +words found a thousand-fold echo in the heart of the young man, whose +passionate thirst for freedom had been so far suppressed. This promised +life shone with a magic splendor like a beacon before him. He needed +only to stretch forth his hand and it was his.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My promise," he murmured with a last attempt to gather strength. +"Father will look at me with contempt if----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you have reached a great, proud future?" Zalika interrupted him +passionately. "Then you can go before him and ask if he dares consider +you with contempt. He would keep you upon the ground while you have +wings which will carry you high up. He does not understand a nature +like yours; he will never learn to understand it. Will you languish and +go to ruin for only a word's sake? Go with me, my Hartmut--with me, to +whom you are all in all--out into freedom."</p> + +<p class="normal">She drew him along, slowly but irresistibly. He still resisted, but did +not tear himself away; and amidst the prayers and caresses of his +mother this resistance slowly gave way--he followed.</p> + +<p class="normal">A few moments later the pond lay wholly deserted; mother and son had +disappeared; the sound of their steps died away. Night and silence +brooded alone. Only over yonder in the fog of the marsh fluttered that +noiseless spectral life. It floated and vanished, rose and sank again +in restless play--the mysterious sign of flame.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>PART II.</h2> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The warm, golden light of a clear September day lay over the green +ocean of forest, which stretched as far as the eye could reach. These +immense forests had covered this part of Southern Germany for countless +years; trees one hundred years old were no rarity among them. The whole +bore the character of a mountainous forest, for hills and dales +succeeded one another.</p> + +<p class="normal">While the railroads spun their web all around the country, drawing one +place after another within their grasp, this "Wald," as these miles and +miles of wooded land were briefly called by the people, lay still and +deserted, like a green island, almost untouched by the life and strife +around.</p> + +<p class="normal">Here and there a village rose from the forest green, or an old castle, +almost in ruins, gray and dilapidated. There was one exception to it, +in a powerful, old, gray edifice which stood upon a height and +overlooked the whole vicinity. This was "Furstenstein," once the +hunting lodge of the sovereign, but at present the habitation of the +Chief of all the foresters.</p> + +<p class="normal">The castle dated from the beginning of the last century and had been +built with all the waste of space of that epoch when the hunting lodge +of the Prince had to accommodate for weeks the whole court suite.</p> + +<p class="normal">Furstenstein was only partly visible at a distance, for the forest +covered all the castle mount, the gray walls, the steeples and bow +windows lifting themselves from among the crown of green firs. The size +of the old structure was only apparent when one stood before the +entrance portal, for many additions belonging to later times were +attached to it. It was to be understood that decay here was carefully +kept back, for the numerous rooms of the upper floors were kept in +readiness for the commands of the Prince, who came here occasionally in +the fall.</p> + +<p class="normal">The similarly extensive lower floor was given to the chief of the +forest department, Herr von Schonan, who had lived here for years, and +who knew how to make the loneliness agreeable by keeping a very +hospitable house and by frequent sociable visitings in the +neighborhood.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was entertaining guests at present. His sister-in-law, Frau Regine +von Eschenhagen, had arrived yesterday, and her son was also expected.</p> + +<p class="normal">The two daughters of the house of Wallmoden had made very desirable +matches, the elder one marrying the lord of the Burgsdorf estates and +the younger one Herr von Schonan, who belonged to a wealthy South +German family. In spite of the distance separating them, the sisters +and their families had remained in intimate association, and even after +the death of the younger one, which had occurred several years +previously, these family connections were continued.</p> + +<p class="normal">This friendship, however, had a quality of its own, for Herr von +Schonan was always on the war-path with his sister-in-law. As both +natures were terse and inconsiderate they came to a tussle at every +opportunity, made up regularly, deciding to keep the peace in future, +but the promise was broken just as regularly. A new difference of +opinion would come up in the next hour, the dispute would be carried on +with fullest passion, until it again raged with undiminished power.</p> + +<p class="normal">Just at present a very unusual harmony seemed to prevail between the +two, who sat upon the terrace before the entrance room.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Chief Forester, who in spite of his advanced years, was still a +very stately man, with strong, sunburned features and slightly gray but +thick hair and beard, was leaning comfortably back in his chair, +listening to his sister-in-law, who, as usual, was monopolizing the +conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau Regine was now near her fiftieth year, but had scarcely changed in +the last decade. The years could not make much impression upon her +strong physique; a little wrinkle perhaps here and there in the face, a +few silver threads mingled with the dark hair; but the gray eyes had +lost none of their keen clearness; the voice was as full and steady, +the carriage just as energetic as formerly. It was very evident that +the lady bore the sceptre in her domain now as before.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As I said, Willy will be here in a week," she was saying. "He had not +quite finished with his harvest work, but it will soon end, and then he +will be ready for the betrothal. The affair has long been settled +between us, but I decidedly advocated the delay, for a young girl of +sixteen or seventeen years has all sorts of childish tricks still in +her head, and cannot preside well over an orderly household. But +Antonie is now twenty years old and Willy twenty-seven; this suits +exactly. You are satisfied, are you not, brother, that we now arrange +the betrothal of our children?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite satisfied," affirmed the Chief Forester; "and we are of the same +opinion in all else concerning it. Half of my money will fall to my son +after my death, the other half to my daughter, and you can also be at +rest about the dower which I have set apart for the wedding."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you have not been stingy about it. As to Willy, you know he has +had possession of the Burgsdorf estates for three years. The money, +according to the will, remains in my hands. After my death it will, of +course, fall to him. The young couple will not be in need. Sufficient +care has been taken for that; therefore all is decided."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, decided. We will celebrate the betrothal now and the wedding in +the spring."</p> + +<p class="normal">The thus far clear sky was darkened now by the first cloud. Frau von +Eschenhagen shook her head and said dictatorially:</p> + +<p class="normal">"That will not do, the wedding must occur in the winter, for Willy will +not have time to marry in the spring."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense! One always has time to marry," declared Schonan, just as +dictatorially.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not in the country," persisted Frau Regine; "there the motto is, first +work and then pleasure. It has always been so with us, and Willy has +learned it, too."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I emphatically beg that he will make an exception in the case of +his young wife, otherwise the deuce may take him!" cried the Chief +angrily. "Besides, you know my conditions, Regine. My girl has not seen +your son for two years; if he does not please her, she shall have a +free choice."</p> + +<p class="normal">He had attacked his sister-in-law in a most sensitive spot. She +straightened herself to her fullest height in her offended motherly +pride.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My dear Moritz, I credit your daughter with some taste at least. +Besides, I believe in the old custom of parents choosing for their +children. It was so in our time and we have fared well with it. What do +young people know of such important things? But you have always allowed +your children their own way too much. One can see there is no mother in +the house."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is that my fault?" demanded Schonan, angrily. "Should I have given +them a stepmother? In fact, I wished to once, but you would not consent +to it, Regine."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I had enough of marriage with one trial," was the dry answer, +which roused the Forester still more. He shrugged his shoulders +sarcastically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, I shouldn't think that you could possibly complain of the late +Eschenhagen. He and all his Burgsdorf danced entirely after your +piping. Of course, you would not have gotten the upper hand of me so +easily."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I should have had it in a month," remarked Frau Regine with +perfect composure, "and I should have taken you under my command first +of all, Moritz."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! you tell me this to my face? Shall we try it, then?" shouted +Schonan in a passion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you, I shall not marry a second time. Do not trouble yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have not the slightest idea of it. I had enough of it with that one +jilting; you do not need to do it a second time"; with which the Chief +Forester pushed back his chair angrily and left.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen remained quietly seated. After awhile she called +in a quite friendly manner: "Moritz!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it?" sounded crossly from the other side of the terrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When is Herbert to come with his young wife?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At twelve o'clock," came the curt reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad of that. I have not seen him since he was sent to your +capitol, but I have always said that Herbert was the pride of our +family, whom one could parade anywhere. He is now Prussian Ambassador +to His Excellency at your court."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And a young husband of fifty-six years, besides," said Herr von +Schonan scornfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he took his time to marry, but then he has made a splendid match +for all that. It was surely no little thing for a man of his years to +win a wife like Adelaide, young, beautiful, rich----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And of burgher descent," interrupted Schonan.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense! Who asks nowadays after a pedigree when a million is +involved. Herbert can make use of it. He has had to get along with +small means all of his life, and the position of ambassador will +require more display than the salary will admit of. And my brother does +not need to be ashamed of his father-in-law, for Stahlberg is one of +our first industry men and a man of honor from tip to toe, besides. It +was a pity that he died after the marriage of his daughter, for she has +surely made a sensible choice."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pouf! You call it a sensible choice when a girl of eighteen takes a +husband who could be her father?" cried the Chief, drawing near in the +heat of the controversy. "Of course when one becomes a baroness and the +wife of the Prussian Ambassador, one plays a big rôle in society. This +beautiful, cool Adelaide, with her 'sensible' ideas which would do +credit to a grandmother, is not congenial to me at all. A sensible girl +who falls heels over head in love and declares to her parents, 'This +one or none at all,' is much more to my taste."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, these are beautiful ideas for a father!" cried Frau von +Eschenhagen indignantly. "It is exceedingly fortunate that Toni has +taken after my sister and not after you, for otherwise you might live +to see the like in her. Stahlberg raised his daughter better. I know +from himself that she obeyed his wish when she gave her hand to +Herbert, and so, of course, it is all right and as it should be. But +you do not understand anything about educating children."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! I, a man and a father, not understand the bringing up of +children?" shouted Schonan, cherry-red with vexation.</p> + +<p class="normal">The two were in the best possible condition to fly at each other again, +but fortunately they were interrupted this time, for a young girl, the +daughter of the house, stepped out on the terrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">Antonie von Schonan could not be called exactly pretty, but she had a +stately figure like her father and a fresh, blooming face, with light +brown eyes. Her brown hair was folded in simple plaits around her head +and her dress, although suitable to her position, was also plain. But +Antonie was in those years when youth displaced every other charm, and +as she drew near, fresh, healthy, stately in her whole appearance, she +was exactly the daughter-in-law after Frau von Eschenhagen's own heart, +and she nodded in a friendly way to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, the carriage is returning from the station," said the young +lady in a very deliberate, somewhat drawling tone. "It is already at +the foot of the castle mount. Uncle Wallmoden will be here in fifteen +minutes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What, tausend! They have driven like lightning!" exclaimed the Chief +Forester, whose face brightened at the news. "Are the rooms all in +order?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Toni nodded as calmly as if that were a self-evident fact. As her +father started off to look for the carriage which was to bring his +guests, Frau von Eschenhagen said with a glance at the little basket +which the young girl carried: "Well Toni, you have been busy again?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have been in the kitchen garden, dear aunt. The gardener insisted +that there were no pears ripe as yet, but I looked for myself and +gathered a basketful."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is right, my child," said her future mother-in-law, highly +satisfied. "One must have her eyes and hands everywhere, and never rely +upon servants. You will some day be a splendid housekeeper. But now let +us go. We will also meet the uncle."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Schonan was already in advance and just descending the wide +stone steps which led to the castle court, when a man emerged from one +of the side buildings and came to a standstill, bowing his greeting +respectfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hallo, Stadinger; what are you doing at Furstenstein?" cried the Chief +Forester. "Come up here."</p> + +<p class="normal">The man obeyed the command. He walked actively with firm, erect +carriage, in spite of his snow-white hair, and a pair of keen, dark +eyes shone from his tanned face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have been with the Herr Steward, Herr Oberforstmeister," he replied, +"to ask if he could not let me have a few of his people to help me, for +everything is topsy-turvy with us at Rodeck just now. We have not hands +enough for the work."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, yes; Prince Egon has returned from his travels in the Orient; I +heard of it," said Schonan. "But how does it happen that he comes to +Rodeck this time, this small forest nook which offers neither room nor +comforts?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Heaven alone knows that; one never dares ask why with our young +Highness. The news came one morning, and the castle had to be put in +order, good or bad. I have had pains and worry enough to get ready in +two days."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe that. Rodeck has not been inhabited for years, but now there +will be life once more in the old walls."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the old walls will be stood on their head with it all," grumbled +the castle keeper. "If you only knew how it looks there, Herr +Oberforstmeister. The whole hunting hall is packed full of lion and +tiger skins and all manner of mounted animals, and the live parrots and +monkeys sit about in every room. There is such a noise and making of +faces that one cannot hear a word at times; and now His Highness has +announced to me, besides, that a whole herd of elephants and a large +sea serpent are on their way here. I think apoplexy will overtake me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is on the way here?" demanded Schonan, who could not believe his +ears.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A sea serpent and a dozen elephants. I have remonstrated with might +and main. 'Your Highness,' I have said, 'we cannot house any more of +the beasts, particularly not the sea serpent, for such a beast needs +water, and we have no pond at Rodeck. As to the elephants--well, we +will just have to tie them to the trees in the forest. If we cannot do +that, I do not know what to do.' 'Good,' says His Highness, 'we will tie +them to the trees, it will be a picturesque sight; and we will send the +sea serpent to board at Furstenstein. That pond is large enough.' I beg +of you, Herr Oberforstmeister, he will populate the whole neighborhood +with those awful beasts."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Chief Forester laughed aloud and patted the shoulder of the old +man, who seemed to enjoy his special favor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Stadinger, did you really take that in earnest? Don't you know +your Prince? It seems that he has not become more settled by his +absence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, really not," sighed Stadinger, "and what His Highness does not +know, Herr Rojanow will surely find out. He makes it ten times worse. +Oh, dreadful that such a madcap should fall to our lot!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rojanow? Who is that?" asked Schonan, becoming attentive.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, that is what nobody knows exactly, but he is everything with us +since His Highness cannot live without him. He found this friend +somewhere back there in the heathen lands. The friend himself may be +half a heathen or a Turk; he looks just like it, with his dark hair and +his fiery eyes, and he knows how to command from the very bottom. He +sometimes drives all the servants helter-skelter with his orders and +actions, as if he was lord and master of Rodeck. But he is handsome as +a picture--almost more so than our Prince, who has given strict orders +that his friend has to be obeyed like himself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Probably some adventurer who takes advantage of the Prince. I can +imagine that," muttered Schonan, continuing aloud: "Well, may God help +you, Stadinger! I must go now to meet my brother-in-law. Do not let any +gray hairs grow on account of the sea-serpent. If His Highness +threatens you with it again, just tell him I would offer the +Furstenstein pond with pleasure, but I must see it alive before me +first."</p> + +<p class="normal">He nodded laughingly at the old man, who looked much comforted, and +walked toward the entrance portal.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen and her niece had also appeared, and the carriage +now came in sight upon the broad forest road of the castle mount, +rolling, a few minutes later, into the castle court.</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine was the first to greet them. She shook her brother's hand so +heartily that he drew back with a slight shudder. The Chief Forester +remained in the background; he stood somewhat in awe of his diplomatic +brother-in-law, whose sarcasm he secretly feared; while Toni allowed +neither her uncle, His Excellency, nor his beautiful wife to rouse her +from her composed deliberation.</p> + +<p class="normal">The years had not passed Herbert von Wallmoden by as lightly as +they had his sister; he had aged considerably; his hair had turned +quite gray, and the sarcastic lines around his mouth had become +more pronounced; otherwise he was still the cool, aristocratic +diplomat--perhaps a few degrees cooler and more reticent than formerly. +The superiority which he had borne to his surroundings seemed to have +grown with the high position which he filled at present.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife at his side would probably have been taken by every +stranger for his daughter. He had truly shown good taste in his choice.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide von Wallmoden was, indeed, beautiful, although of that +composed, serious beauty which usually aroused only calm admiration, +but she seemed equal in every respect to the high position in life +brought her by this marriage.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife, scarcely nineteen years old, and who had been married +but six months, showed perfect ease of manner--an unexceptional mastery +of all forms, as if she had lived for years beside her elderly husband.</p> + +<p class="normal">To his wife Wallmoden was politeness and attention personified. He now +offered his arm to lead her to her room, returning in a few minutes to +join his sister, who awaited him on the terrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">The attitude of these two to each other was in many respects a strange +one. The brother and sister were of the most pronounced opposites in +appearance as well as character, and usually of opinion as well; but +the blood relationship gave them, in spite of this difference, a +feeling of closest union. This was evident as they sat together now +after the long separation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Although Herbert was somewhat nervous during the conversation, for +Regine did not find it necessary to subdue her peculiar manner, causing +him embarrassment more than once with her inconsiderate questions and +remarks, he had long ago learned to consider that as unavoidable, and +surrendered himself to it now with a sigh.</p> + +<p class="normal">At first they spoke of the coming betrothal of Willibald and Toni, +which had Wallmoden's full approval. He thought the match very +suitable, and besides, every one in the family had been long acquainted +with it.</p> + +<p class="normal">But now Frau von Eschenhagen began an entirely different subject. +"Well, and how do you feel as a husband, Herbert?" she asked. "You have +certainly taken your time for it, but better late than never, and to +speak the truth, you have had extraordinarily good luck in spite of +your gray hair."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Ambassador did not seem very well pleased at this allusion to his +age. He pressed his thin lips together for a moment, and then replied +with some sharpness: "You should really be a little more careful in +your expressions, dear Regine. I know my age very well, but the +position in life which I brought my wife as a wedding gift should +counteract the difference of the years somewhat."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I should think the dowry she brought you was not to be +slighted," remarked Regine, quite unconcerned as to the rebuke. "Have +you already presented her at court?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, two weeks ago, at the Summer Residenz. Mourning for my +father-in-law prevented it before. We shall have open house in the +winter as my position requires. I was most pleasantly surprised at +Adelaide's manner at court. She moved upon the strange ground with an +ease and composure which were truly admirable. I saw there again how +happy my choice was in every respect. But I wish to inquire after +several things at home. First of all, how is Falkenried?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Surely you do not need to ask me that? Are you not in regular +correspondence with him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, but his letters grow shorter and more monosyllabic. I wrote him +at length about my marriage, but received only a very laconic reply. +But you must see him frequently, since he has been called to the +position of Secretary of War. The city is near."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are mistaken there. The Colonel shows himself very rarely at +Burgsdorf, and he is becoming more and more reticent and +unapproachable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry to hear that; but he used always to make an exception of +you, and I hoped much from your influence since he is back in your +vicinity. Have you not tried, then, to renew the old intimacy?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did at first, but finally had to give it up, for I saw that it was +painful to him. Nothing can be done there, Herbert. Since that +unfortunate catastrophe which both of us lived through with him he has +changed into stone. You have seen him several times since then and know +the ruin that has worked there."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden's brow clouded and his voice was harsh as he returned: "Yes, +that scoundrel--that Hartmut lies heavy upon his heart, but more than +ten years have passed since then, and I hoped that Falkenried would +return to sociable life in time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have never had that hope; that blow went to the root of life. I +shall never forget that evening at Burgsdorf while I live. How we +waited and waited--first with restlessness and anxiety, then with +deadly fear. You guessed the truth directly, but I would not permit +myself to believe it--and Falkenried! I can see him yet as he stood at +the window, looking fixedly out into the night pale as a corpse, with +teeth tightly clenched, having for every fear expressed the one reply, +'He will come--he must come. I have his word for it.' And when, in +spite of all, Hartmut did not come--when the night wore on and we +finally learned upon inquiry at the railroad station that the two had +arrived there in a carriage and taken the express train--God in heaven! +How the man looked when he turned to leave, so mute and stiff! I made +you promise not to leave his side, for I believed that he would blow +his brains out."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You judged him wrongly," said Wallmoden decisively. "A man like +Falkenried considers it cowardice to lay hands on his life, even if +that life has become torture to him. He stands up even to a lost post. +Although what would have happened if they had let him go that time--I +do not dare to surmise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I knew that he had asked for his dismissal, because to serve +after his son had become a deserter did not accord with his ideas of +honor. It was the step of despair."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, truly; and it was fortunate that his chiefs would not dispense +with his military genius and force. The chief of the general's staff +took the affair in his own hands and brought it before the king. They +concluded finally to treat the whole unfortunate occurrence--at least +as far as it could concern the father--as the act of a heedless boy, +for which a highly deserving officer could not be held accountable. +Falkenried had to take back his request for resignation, was +transferred into a far-away garrison, and the affair silenced as much +as was possible. It is, indeed, buried and forgotten now after ten +years by all the world."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not forgotten by one," finished Regine. "My heart burns +sometimes when I think of what Falkenried was once, and what he is now. +The bitter experience of his marriage had made him rather serious and +unsocial, but occasionally the full charming amiability of his manner +would break through, warm and hearty, from his inmost heart--all that +is over. He knows now only the iron severity of duty--all else is dead. +Even the old friendly relations have become painful to him. One has to +let him go his own way."</p> + +<p class="normal">She broke off with a sigh, which betrayed how near to her heart was the +friend of her youth, and laying her hand upon the arm of her brother, +she continued: "Perhaps you are right, Herbert, in that one chooses +best and most sensibly in late years. You do not need to fear the fate +of Falkenried. Your wife comes from a good race. I knew Stahlberg well. +He had worked up to the heights of life with firmness and ability, and +even as a millionaire he remained the upright man of honor he had ever +been. Adelaide is the daughter of her father in every respect. You have +chosen well and you my heartfelt wishes for your happiness."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Rodeck, the hunting lodge belonging to the possessions of the Prince of +Adelsberg, was about two hours' distance from Furstenstein, in the +midst of deepest forest loneliness. The small building, erected +without much taste, contained at the most about a dozen rooms, whose +old-fashioned and shabby furniture had been put in as good order as the +short notice of the coming of the Prince permitted.</p> + +<p class="normal">The little castle had not been inhabited for years and looked somewhat +dilapidated, but when one emerged from the deep, dark forest into the +opening, and beheld at the end of the wide green sward the old gray +edifice with its tall, spiked roof and four steeples at the corners, it +had truly something of the forest idyl about it.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Adelsbergs had once been a reigning family, but a family that had +long since lost its sovereignty. They had retained, however, the +princely title, an enormous fortune, and a very extensive property. The +once numerous family counted at present but few representatives; the +main branch only a single one--the Prince Egon, who, as lord of all the +family estates, besides being closely related to the reigning house +through his late mother, played an important rôle among the nobility of +the land.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Prince had always been considered a rover, who at times +followed very eccentric notions and bothered himself very little about +princely etiquette when he wished to follow some momentary whim. The +old Prince had been very strict with his son, but his death made Egon +von Adelsberg the sole master of his own will very early in life.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had now returned from a tour in the Orient which had kept him in +foreign lands two years, but instead of occupying the princely palace +in town, or one of his other castles which were furnished with every +conceivable splendor for a summer or fall visit, he took a notion to go +to the old forest nook--the little half-forgotten Rodeck--which was not +prepared for the honor of receiving its master, and could offer but +scant accommodation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Old Stadinger was right: one must never ask Prince Egon why. Everything +depended entirely upon his momentary caprice.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the morning of a sunny autumn day, two gentlemen in hunting costume +stood upon the lawn at Rodeck talking with the castle-keeper, while a +light open carriage stood upon the gravel road, ready for departure. At +a casual glance the two young men bore a certain resemblance to each +other. They had tall, slender figures, deeply tanned faces, and eyes in +which glowed the whole fiery gayety and courage of youth, but upon +closer examination the wide difference between them was apparent.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Southern coloring of the younger one, who might, perhaps, be about +twenty-four years old, was caused, apparently, by a prolonged stay +under a hot sun, for the light, curly hair and blue eyes did not match +it--they betrayed the German. A light beard, curly like the hair, +framed a handsome, open face, which, however, did not follow any strict +line of beauty. The forehead was rather too low, but there was +something like bright sunshine in this face which charmed and won +everybody.</p> + +<p class="normal">His companion, several years his senior, had nothing of this sunny +quality, although his appearance was more imposing. Slender like the +younger one, he towered above him in height, and his dark complexion +was not caused by the sun alone. It was of that olive tint which allows +a pale face to still look fresh, and the blue-black hair which fell in +thick waves over the high brow made the apparent paleness more +noticeable. The face was beautiful, with its noble, proud lines so +firmly and energetically pronounced, but upon it appeared also deep +shadows lying over brow and eyes; such shadows as one seldom finds on +youthful features.</p> + +<p class="normal">The large, dark eyes, which had in their depths something gloomy, told +of hot, unruled passions. In their flashing there was something uncanny +but mysteriously attractive. One felt that they could charm with +demoniac power; in fact, the whole personality of the man possessed +this uncanny, entrancing charm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I cannot help you, Stadinger," said the younger of the two +gentlemen. "The newly arrived lot has to be unpacked and a place found +for them. Where? that is your affair."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Your Highness, if that is absolutely impossible?" argued the +castle-keeper, in a tone indicating that he stood in rather familiar +relations to his young master. "Not a nook is free any more in Rodeck. +I have had trouble enough already to house the servants which Your +Highness brought along, and now every day boxes large as houses arrive, +and always it is 'Unpack, Stadinger,' 'Find room, Stadinger,' and in +the meantime the rooms stand empty by the dozen in the other castles."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not grumble, old forest spirit, but find room," interrupted the +Prince. "The arrivals have to be put up here at Rodeck, at least for +the present, and if the worst comes you will have to give up your own +lodgings."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, certainly; Stadinger has room enough in his lodgings," joined in +the second gentleman. "I shall arrange it myself and measure it all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And Lena can help you with it," added the Prince, supporting the +proposal of his friend. "She is at home, is she not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger measured the gentlemen from head to foot, then answered +drily:</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Your Highness, Lena is away."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where?" cried the Prince, starting up. "Where has she gone?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To town," was the laconic reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! I thought you intended keeping your grandchild at home all +winter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That has been changed," replied the castle-keeper with imperturbable +composure. "My old sister Rosa only is at home now. If you wish to +measure my dwelling with her help, Herr Rojanow, she would consider it +a high honor."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow glanced at the old man in no very friendly way, and the young +prince said reproachfully:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now listen, Stadinger, you treat us in quite an unaccountable manner. +You even take Lena away from us, the only one who was worth looking at. +All else here in the female line have the sixties behind them, and +their heads positively shake from old age; and the kitchen women you +got from Furstenstein to help actually offend our sense of beauty."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Highnesses do not need to look at them," suggested Stadinger. "I +look out that the servants do not come into the castle, but if Your +Highness goes into the kitchen like the day before yesterday----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, must I not inspect my servants at times? But I shall not go into +the kitchen a second time--you have taken care of that. I have my +suspicions that you have gathered here all the very ugliest of the Wald +to celebrate my arrival. You ought to be ashamed, Stadinger."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man looked sharply and fixedly into his master's eyes, and his +voice sounded very impressive as he answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not ashamed a bit, Your Highness. When the late Prince, Your +Highness' father, gave me this post of rest he said to me, 'Keep order +at Rodeck, Stadinger--I rely upon you.' Well, I have kept order for +twelve years in the castle, and in my house particularly, and I shall +do that in future. Has Your Highness any orders for me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, you old, rude thing," cried the Prince, half laughing, half angry. +"Make haste and get away. We do not need any curtain lectures."</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger obeyed. He saluted and marched off.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow looked after him and shrugged his shoulders sarcastically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I admire your patience, Egon. You allow your servants very +far-reaching liberty."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stadinger is an exception," replied Egon. "He allows himself +everything; but he was not so much in the wrong when he sent Lena away. +I believe I should have done the same in his place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is not the first time that this old castle-keeper has taken it +upon himself to call you and me to order. If I were his master he would +have his dismissal in the next hour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I tried that it would turn out badly for me," laughed the Prince. +"Such old family heirlooms, who have served for three generations, and +have carried the children in their arms, will be treated with respect. +I cannot gain anything there with orders and prohibitions. Peter +Stadinger does what he will, and occasionally lectures me just as he +sees fit."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you suffer it--such a thing is incomprehensible to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, it is a thing you do not comprehend, Hartmut," said Egon more +seriously. "You know only the slavish submission of the servants in +your country and the Orient. They kneel and bow at every opportunity, +yet steal and betray their masters whenever they can and know how. +Stadinger is of an enviable simplicity. My 'Highness' does not +intimidate him in the least. He often tells me the hardest things to my +face; but I could put hundreds of thousands in his hands--he would not +defraud me of one iota of it. If Rodeck were in flames and I in the +midst of it, the old man, with all his sixty years, would stand by me +without a second thought. All this is different with us in Germany."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; with you in Germany," repeated Hartmut slowly, and his glance was +lost dreamily in the dusk of the forest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you still so prejudiced against it?" asked Egon. "It cost me +persuasion and prayers enough to get you to accompany me here--you +fought so against entering German territory."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish I had not entered it," said Rojanow, gloomily. "You know----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That all sorts of bitter remembrances have their origin here for +you--yes, you have told me that; but you must have been a boy then. +Have you not yet overcome the grudge against it? You have the most +obstinate reticence, anyway, upon this point. I have not yet heard what +it really was that----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Egon, I beg of you, leave the subject," interrupted Hartmut, harshly. +"I have told you once for all that I cannot and will not speak of it. +If you mistrust me, let me go. I have not forced myself upon you, you +know that; but I cannot bear these inquiries and questions."</p> + +<p class="normal">The proud, inconsiderate tone which he used toward his friend did not +seem to be anything new to the Prince. He merely shrugged his shoulders +and said pacifyingly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"How irritable you are again to-day! I believe you are right when you +insist that German air makes you nervous. You are entirely changed +since you put foot on this soil."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is possible. I feel that I torture you and myself with these whims; +therefore let me go, Egon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know better! Have I taken so much pains to catch you, just to let +you fly off again now? No, no, Hartmut, I shall not let you go by any +means."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded playful, but Rojanow seemed to take them wrongly. His +eyes lighted up almost threateningly as he returned:</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what if I <i>will</i> leave?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I shall hold you like this."</p> + +<p class="normal">With an indescribably charming expression, Egon threw his arm around +his friend's shoulder. "And I shall ask if this bad, obstinate Hartmut +can bring his conscience to desert me. We have lived together almost +two years, and have shared danger and joy like two brothers, and now +you would storm out into the world again without asking about me. Am I, +then, so little to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Such warm, heartfelt beseeching was in the words that Rojanow's +irritation could not live. His eyes lit up with an expression which +showed that he returned just as intensely the passionate, enthusiastic +affection which the young Prince bore him, even if he was, in their +mutual relationship, the domineering one.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you believe that for the sake of any one else I would have come to +Germany?" he asked in a low voice. "Forgive me, Egon. I am an unstable +nature. I have never been able to stay long in any place since--since +my boyhood."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then learn it now here at my home," cried Egon. "I came to Rodeck +especially to show you my country in its entire beauty. This old +edifice, which nestles in the midst of the deep forest like a fairy +castle, is a piece of forest poetry such as you could not find in any +of my other possessions. I know your taste--but I must really leave you +now. You will not drive with me over to Furstenstein?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I will enjoy your much-praised forest poetry, which, it appears, +is already tiresome to you, as you wish to make calls."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; I am no poet like you, who can dream and be enthused all day," +said Egon, laughing. "We have led the life of hermits for a full week, +and I cannot live on sunshine and forest perfume and the curtain +lectures of Stadinger alone. I need people, and the Chief Forester is +about the only person in the neighborhood. Besides, this Herr von +Schonan is a splendid, jolly man. You will yet meet and know him, too."</p> + +<p class="normal">He motioned to the waiting carriage, gave his hand to his friend, +sprang to his seat and rolled away.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow looked after him until the vehicle had disappeared behind the +trees, then he turned and took one of the paths which led into the +forest. He carried his gun over his shoulder, but evidently did not +think of hunting. Lost in thought, he walked further and further +aimlessly, without noticing the road or direction, until deepest forest +loneliness surrounded him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince Adelsberg was right; he knew his friend's taste. This forest +poetry took full possession of him. He finally came to a standstill and +drew a deep breath, but the cloud upon his brow would not dispel; it +grew darker and darker as he leaned against the trunk of a tree and +allowed his eyes to roam about. Something not of peace or joy was +depicted in those beautiful features, which all the sunny beauty around +could not erase.</p> + +<p class="normal">He saw this country for the first time; his former home was far removed +in the northern part of Germany; nothing here reminded him directly of +the past, and yet just here something awoke in him which seemed to have +long been dead--something which had not made itself felt in all those +years when he crossed oceans and countries, when intoxicating waves of +life surrounded him and he drank with full thirsty draughts the freedom +for which he had sacrificed so much--everything.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old German woods! They rustled here in the south as up there in the +familiar north; the same breath floated through the firs and oaks here +which whispered there in the crowns of the pines; the same voice which +had once been so familiar to the boy when he lay upon the mossy forest +soil. He had heard many other voices since, some coaxing and +flattering, some intoxicating and enthusiastic, but this voice sounded +so grave and yet so sweet in the rustling of the forest trees--the +fatherland spoke to the lost son!</p> + +<p class="normal">Something moved yonder in the bushes. Hartmut looked up indifferently, +thinking that some game was passing through, but instead of that he saw +the glimmer of a light dress. A lady emerged from a narrow side path +which wound through the forest, and stood still, apparently undecided +as to the direction she ought to take.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow had started at the unexpected sight. It awoke him suddenly from +his dream and called him back to reality. The stranger had also noticed +him. She, too, seemed surprised, but only for a moment; then she drew +near and said with a slight bow: "May I ask you, sir, to show me the +road to Furstenstein? I am a stranger here and have lost my way in my +walk. I fear I have wandered considerably from my path."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut had scanned the appearance of the young lady with a quick +glance, and immediately decided to act as guide. Although he did not +know the road about which she had asked--knew only the direction in +which it lay--it troubled him but little. He made a deeply polite bow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I place myself entirely at your service, gracious Fraulein. +Furstenstein is, indeed, rather far from here, and you cannot possibly +find the road by yourself, so I must beg you to accept my escort."</p> + +<p class="normal">The lady seemed to have expected the right direction to be pointed out, +and the proffered escort was evidently not especially welcome, but she +may have been afraid of losing her way a second time, and the perfect +politeness with which the offer was made scarcely left her any choice. +She bowed after a moment's hesitation and replied: "I shall be very +much obliged to you. Please let us go."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow pointed out a narrow, half-covered path which led in the +direction of Furstenstein, and entered it without further ado. He +decided to retain his rôle as guide, for the little adventure began to +interest him.</p> + +<p class="normal">His protégé was, indeed, beautiful enough to make the encounter +interesting. The pure, delicate oval of her face; the high, clear brow +surrounded by shining blonde hair; the lines of the features--all was +perfect symmetry, but there was something chilling in the strong +regularity of these lines, which was rather increased by a mark of +energetic will power most plainly pronounced. The young lady could not +be more than eighteen or nineteen years old at the utmost, but she had +nothing of the charm of mirth and gayety belonging to that age. The +large blue eyes looked as calm and grave as if a girlish dream had +never brightened them, and the same cold, proud composure was visible +in the carriage and whole appearance.</p> + +<p class="normal">This tall, slender figure affected one like a chilling breath. Her +plain but elegant apparel showed that she belonged to the high classes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow had time enough to observe her as he walked now behind her and +now before, bending back the low-hanging bows, or warning of the +unevenness of the ground. This narrow forest path was truly not +comfortable, and proved itself not very appropriate for the toilet of a +lady. More than once her dress was caught by the bushes; the veil of +her hat was entangled in the boughs at every opportunity, while the +mossy soil proved at times very damp and foggy.</p> + +<p class="normal">All of this, however, was borne with perfect indifference, but Hartmut +felt that he was not doing himself much credit with his post as guide.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry to have to lead you over such a rough path, Fraulein," he +said courteously. "I am really afraid of fatiguing you, but we are in +the densest forest and there is no choice whatever."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not easily fatigued," was the calm rejoinder. "I care little for +the roughness of the road if it only leads to the desired end."</p> + +<p class="normal">The remark sounded somewhat unusual from the lips of a young girl. +Rojanow seemed to think so, and smiled rather sarcastically as he +repeated:</p> + +<p class="normal">"If it only leads to the desired end? Quite so--that is my opinion, but +ladies are usually of a different mind; they wish to be borne softly +over every inconvenience."</p> + +<p class="normal">"All of them? There are also women who prefer to go alone, without +being led like a child."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps, as an exception. I prize the chance which gives me the good +fortune of meeting such a charming exception----"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut was about to utter a bold compliment, but suddenly grew silent, +for the blue eyes looked at him with an expression that made the words +die upon his lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">At this moment the lady's veil was caught again by a thorny bush, which +held it fast relentlessly. She stood still, but hardly had her +companion stretched forth his hand to disengage the delicate fabric, +when she tore herself free with a quick motion of the head. The veil +remained hanging in shreds on the bough, but his help had become +totally superfluous.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow bit his lip. This adventure was developing quite differently +from what he had expected. He had thought to play the agreeable in that +bold, vainglorious manner which had become his second nature toward +ladies, to a timid young being who trusted herself entirely to his +protection, but he was being shown back to his proper place by a mere +glance at his first attempt. It was made very clear to him that he was +to be guide here and nothing else.</p> + +<p class="normal">Who, then, in truth, was this girl who, with her eighteen or nineteen +years, already showed the perfect ease of a great lady and who knew so +well how to make herself unapproachable? He concluded to have light +about it at any cost.</p> + +<p class="normal">The narrow path now ended; they emerged into an opening, the forest +continuing on the other side.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was not easy to be a guide here, where one was as little acquainted +with the country as Hartmut, but he would never confess his ignorance +now.</p> + +<p class="normal">Apparently quite certain, he kept in the same direction, choosing one +of the wood roads which crossed through the forest. There must surely +be a spot somewhere which would offer a free outlook and make it +possible to find the right road.</p> + +<p class="normal">The wider path now permitted them to walk side by side, and Hartmut +took immediate advantage of it to start a conversation, which thus far +had been impossible, since they had had to struggle with so many +obstacles.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have neglected so far to introduce myself, gracious Fraulein," he +commenced. "My name is Rojanow. I am at present at Rodeck, a guest of +Prince Adelsberg, who enjoys the privilege of being your neighbor, +since you live at Furstenstein."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I am likewise only a guest there," replied the lady.</p> + +<p class="normal">The princely neighbor seemed to be as indifferent to her as the name of +her companion; at all events, she did not seem to consider it necessary +to give her name in return, but accepted the introduction with that +proud, aristocratic movement of the head which seemed to be peculiar to +her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, you live, then, at the Residenz, and have taken advantage of the +beautiful fall weather for an excursion here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="normal">It sounded as monosyllabic and rebuking as possible, but Rojanow was +not the man to be rebuked. He was accustomed to have his personality +felt everywhere--to meet with consideration and importance, +particularly among the ladies, and he felt it almost an insult that +this oft-tested success was denied him here. But it excited him to +enforce a conversation which apparently was not desired.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you satisfied with your stay at Furstenstein?" he began anew. "I +have not yet been there, and have only seen the castle from afar, but +it seems to overlook the whole vicinity. A peculiar taste is needed, +however, to find the country beautiful."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And this taste does not seem to be yours."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At any rate, I do not love the monotony, and here one has the same +view everywhere. Forest and forest and nothing but forest! It is enough +sometimes to create despair."</p> + +<p class="normal">It sounded like suppressed resentment. The poor German forests had to +atone for torturing the returned prodigal to such an extent that he had +been upon the point several times of fleeing from their whispering and +rustling. He could not bear it--this grave, monotonous tune of old +times which the leaves whispered to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">His companion heard, of course, only the sarcasm in the remark.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a foreigner, Herr Rojanow?" she asked calmly.</p> + +<p class="normal">A dark shadow passed again over Hartmut's brow. He hesitated for a +moment, then replied coldly: "Yes, gracious Fraulein."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought so; your name, as well as appearance, betrays it, and +therefore your opinion is conceivable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is certainly an unbiased opinion," said Hartmut, irritated by the +reproach contained in the last words. "I have seen a great deal of the +world, and have but now returned from the Orient. Whoever has known the +ocean in its brilliant, transparent blue, or its majestic, stormy +uproar; whoever has enjoyed the charm of the tropics, and been +intoxicated with their splendor and coloring--to him these evergreen +forest depths appear but cold and colorless, like all of these German +landscapes, anyhow."</p> + +<p class="normal">The contemptuous shrug of the shoulders with which he concluded seemed +to finally arouse his companion from her cool indifference. An +expression of displeasure flitted across her features, and her voice +betrayed a certain excitement as she answered: "That is probably solely +and entirely a matter of taste. I know, if not the Orient, at least the +south of Europe. Those sun-glaring, color-shining landscapes intoxicate +for the moment, certainly, and then they weary one. They lack freshness +and strength. One can dream and enjoy there, but not live and work. But +why argue about it? You do not understand our German forests."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut smiled with undeniable satisfaction. He had succeeded in +breaking the icy reticence of his companion. All of his charming +politeness had been without effect, but he saw now that there was +something which could call life into those cold features, and he found +it attractive to draw it out. If he offended by it, it did not matter; +it gave him pleasure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That sounds like a reproof which, alas! I have to accept," he said, +with an undisguised sneer. "It is possible that this understanding is +wanting in me. I am accustomed to measure nature differently from most +people. Live and work! It depends greatly upon what one calls living +and working. I have lived for years in Paris, that mighty centre of +civilization, where life throbs and flows in a thousand streams. +Whoever is used to being borne on those sparkling waves cannot bring +himself again into narrow, <i>petit</i> views--into all those prejudices and +pedantries which in this good Germany are called 'life.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">The contemptuous stress which he put upon the last words had something +of a challenge in it, and reached its aim.</p> + +<p class="normal">His companion came to a sudden standstill and measured him from head to +foot, while from the formerly cold, blue eyes there flashed a spark of +burning anger. She seemed to have an angry reply upon her lips, but +suppressed it. She only straightened herself to her fullest height, and +her words were few and of icy, haughty reprimand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You forget, mein Herr, that you speak to a German. I remind you of +it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut's brow glowed dark-red under this stern reproof, and yet it was +directed only to the stranger--the foreigner--who forgot the +consideration of a guest.</p> + +<p class="normal">If this girl had an idea who spoke so to her--if she knew! Hot, burning +shame rose suddenly within him, but he was man of the world enough to +control himself immediately.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon," he said with a slight, half-sarcastic bow. "I was +under the impression that we were exchanging only general views, which +have the right of unbiased opinions. I am sorry to have offended you, +gracious Fraulein."</p> + +<p class="normal">An inimitable, proud and disdainful motion of the head assured him that +he did not even possess the power to offend her. She shrugged her +shoulders in a barely perceptible manner.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not wish to bias your opinions in the least, but as our views are +so widely different on this matter, we will do better to discontinue +our conversation."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow was not inclined to continue it. He knew now that those cold, +blue eyes could flash. He had wished to see it--had caused it to +happen, and yet the matter had ended differently from what he had +anticipated. He glanced with a half hostile look at the slender figure +at his side, and then his eyes roamed resentfully again in the bitterly +abused green depths of the forest.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">This forest loneliness had, however, something fascinating in it. It +was touched by the first slight breath of autumn; that touch which has +not yet brought withering and death, but has only steeped the landscape +in richer coloring. Here and there brilliant red and gold flashed +through the bushes, but the forest itself still rested fresh and +aromatic in its green dusk.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beneath the crowns of the century-old trees bending gracefully toward +each other, deep, cool shadows glided, and in the openings golden +sunshine lay glistening on the flowers which bloomed here in the light. +Occasionally in the distance the bright mirror of a small pond +glittered, resting lonely, as if lost in the midst of the deep forest.</p> + +<p class="normal">Through the profound quiet all around could be heard the low rustling +of the mighty trees and the humming and singing of thousands of insects +that seemed to float upon the rays of the sun: all of those mysterious +voices which are heard only in solitude--the sweet, dreamy language of +the forest. It lured and coaxed irresistibly with its green depths, +which stretched endlessly, always further and further, as if it wished +to keep forever within its charm the two now walking through it.</p> + +<p class="normal">But suddenly quite an unexpected obstacle appeared before them. Dashing +and roaring from the thickly grown heights, a broad forest brook made a +way for itself with merry haste through bushes and rocks.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow paused in his walk and took in the situation with a quick +glance, but as nowhere could a ford or bridge be discovered, he turned +to his companion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fear we are in trouble; the brook seems to put an end to our path. +It is usually easy to cross on the moss-covered stones at the bottom, +with some care, but yesterday's rain has covered them completely."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady was looking anxiously for some crossing place. "Would it +not be possible further down?" she asked, pointing down the stream.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, for the water is deeper and more rapid there. We must cross here +at this place. Of course, you cannot go through the water. You will +permit me, Fraulein, to carry you over?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The offer was made with perfect courtesy and reserve, but Rojanow's +eyes flashed triumphantly. Chance was avenging him now on the +unapproachable one, who would not suffer his assistance even in the +disengaging of her veil from a thorn bush. She had now to entrust +herself unconditionally to his help, there was no choice but to allow +herself to be carried in his arms to the other bank.</p> + +<p class="normal">He drew near as if the permission sought had been granted, but she +recoiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, Herr Rojanow."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut smiled with an irony which he took no pains to conceal. He was +master of the situation now and intended to remain so.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you desire to turn back?" he asked. "More than an hour would be +lost, whereas if we cross here the other side will be reached in a few +moments. You can trust yourself to my arms without fear--the crossing +will be quite without danger."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think so, too," was the calm reply, "and therefore I shall try it +alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Alone? That is impossible, Fraulein!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Impossible to walk through a forest brook? I do not consider that a +particularly heroic deed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the water is deeper than you think. You will get a thorough +wetting, and besides--it is really impossible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not effeminate in the least and do not catch cold easily. Be so +kind as to go first. I will follow."</p> + +<p class="normal">That was plain enough, and sounded so commanding that remonstrance was +not possible. Hartmut bowed a silent assent and waded through the +water, which could do no damage to his high hunting boots.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was indeed, rather deep and violent, so that he had to be careful in +getting a firm foothold upon the stones. A slight smile played around +his lips as he stood on the other bank and awaited his companion, who +had refused his protection so haughtily. Let her try coming alone; the +water would frighten her; she would not be able to battle with it, and +would be compelled to call him to help her in spite of her reluctance.</p> + +<p class="normal">She had followed him without hesitation. With her delicate, thin boots +offering no resistance whatever, she already stood in the water, which +was cold, but she seemed scarcely to feel it. Catching up her dress +with both hands, she advanced carefully and slowly, but quite surely, +to the middle of the brook.</p> + +<p class="normal">But here in the midst of the dashing, foaming flood, it required the +firm step of a man to hold its own. The slender, soft foot of the lady +searched in vain for a hold upon the slippery stones. The high heels of +the dainty boots were as much of a detriment as the dress, the hem of +which was caught by the waves.</p> + +<p class="normal">The courageous pedestrian apparently lost the confidence hitherto +displayed. She slipped several times and finally stood still. A +questioning glance flew over to the bank where Rojanow stood, firmly +decided not to lift his hand to help her until she asked for it.</p> + +<p class="normal">She may have read this resolution in his eyes, and it seemed to give +her back instantly her failing strength. She stood immovable a moment, +but the determined expression in her features was in full play. +Suddenly she slipped from the flooded stones into water a foot deep, +where she now, indeed, gained terra firma directly on the bottom of the +brook, and could walk unmolested to the other bank. She grasped a +branch of a tree, instead of Hartmut's offered hand, and by its aid +swung herself to dry land.</p> + +<p class="normal">Naturally she was very wet. The water ran from her dress, which she had +released from her grasp without consideration, but with perfect +unconcern she turned to her escort and said: "Shall we continue on our +way? It cannot be very far to Furstenstein."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut did not return a syllable, but something like hatred sprang up +within him for this woman, who would rather slip into the cold flood +than trust herself to his arms. The proud, spoiled man whose brilliant +traits had heretofore won all hearts, felt so much more keenly the +humiliation which was forced upon him here. He almost cursed the whole +encounter.</p> + +<p class="normal">They walked on. From time to time Rojanow threw a glance upon the +heavy, wet hem of the dress which trailed on the ground beside him, but +otherwise he bestowed his whole attention upon the surroundings, which +seemed to get lighter. This forest thickness must end some time!</p> + +<p class="normal">His supposition was correct. He had been successful in his leadership, +for the path taken at random proved the right one. In about ten minutes +they stood upon a slight elevation which offered a free outlook. Over +yonder, above an ocean of treetops, rose the towers of Furstenstein, +while a broad road, which could be plainly seen, wound to the foot of +the castle mount.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is Furstenstein," said Hartmut, turning for the first time to +his companion, "although it will be about half an hour's walk from +here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is of no consequence," she interrupted him quickly. "I am very +grateful to you for your guidance, but I cannot now miss the road, and +I should not like to trouble you further."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you wish, gracious Fraulein," Rojanow said, coldly. "If you desire +to dismiss your guide here he will not force himself upon you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The reproach was understood. The young lady herself might feel that a +man who had guided her through the forest for hours might well deserve +a different dismissal, even if she found it necessary to keep him at a +distance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have already detained you too long," she said graciously, "and since +you have introduced yourself, Herr Rojanow, let me give you my name +also before we part--Adelaide von Wallmoden."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut started slightly and a burning blush covered his face as he +repeated slowly, "Wallmoden!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is the name familiar to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe I have heard it before, but it was in--in North Germany."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Most probably, for that is my husband's home."</p> + +<p class="normal">Unmistakable surprise was depicted in Rojanow's face as the supposed +young girl announced herself a married woman, but he bowed politely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I beg your pardon, gracious lady, for the wrong address. I could +not anticipate that you were married. In any case, I have not the honor +of knowing your husband even by name, for the gentleman who was then +known to me was already advanced in years. He belonged to the +diplomatic corps, and his name was, if I am not mistaken, Herbert von +Wallmoden."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite right; my husband is at present Ambassador at the court of this +country. But he will be anxious about my long stay. I must not tarry +longer. Once again, my thanks, Herr Rojanow."</p> + +<p class="normal">She bowed slightly and took the descending road. Hartmut stood +motionless, looking after her, but an ashy paleness was on his face.</p> + +<p class="normal">So--he had hardly set foot upon German soil before there met him a name +and connection with old times which was at least painfully disagreeable +to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herbert von Wallmoden, brother of Frau von Eschenhagen, guardian of +Willibald, and friend of----</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow suddenly broke off in his thoughts, for a sharp, painful stab +sank into his breast.</p> + +<p class="normal">As if to throw something from him he straightened himself, and again +the harsh, offensive sarcasm trembled around his lips, over which he +had such masterly command.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Uncle Wallmoden has made a fine career at least," he murmured, "and +seems to have had good luck besides. His hair must have been gray a +long time, and yet with it he conquers a young, beautiful girl. Of +course an ambassador is always a good match, hence the cool, +aristocratic manner which does not consider it worth the while to bend +to other mortals. Probably the diplomatic school of the husband has +educated his chosen one especially for this position. Well, he has +succeeded admirably."</p> + +<p class="normal">His eyes still followed the young wife, who had already reached the +foot of the hill, but now a deep furrow appeared in his brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I should meet Wallmoden here--and it can scarcely be avoided--he +will recognize me beyond a doubt. If he then tells her the truth--if +she learns what has happened--and looks at me again with that look of +contempt----" In wild, out-breaking wrath he stamped his foot upon the +ground, then laughed bitterly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pah! what do I care? What does this blond, blue-eyed race, with their +indolent, cold blood, know of the longing for freedom--of the storm of +passions--of life in general? Let them pass judgment upon me! I do not +fear the meeting. I shall know how to hold my own."</p> + +<p class="normal">Throwing back his head in proud defiance, he turned his back upon the +slender female figure yet visible, and walked back into the forest.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">At the home of the Chief of all the foresters, the talked-of family +fête for which Wallmoden and his young wife had expressly come, had +taken place according to programme, and the lord of Burgsdorf and +Antonie von Schonan were formally betrothed.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young couple had long known that they were intended for each other, +and were perfectly contented therewith.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald, like a good son, was still of the opinion that the selection +of his future wife was solely the business of his mother, and he had +quietly waited until she found it convenient to betroth him. Still it +was agreeable to him that it was just Cousin Toni he was to marry.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had known her since their childhood; she suited him admirably, and +what was of some importance, she made no demands for the romantic part +of the engagement, which, with the best will in the world, he could not +have complied with.</p> + +<p class="normal">Toni exhibited the good taste which Frau Regine credited her with. +Willy pleased her very much, and the prospect of becoming mistress of +stately Burgsdorf pleased her still better. So all was in perfect +accord.</p> + +<p class="normal">The betrothed couple were at present in the reception room where the +piano stood and Antonie was entertaining her betrothed with music at +the request of her father. She herself considered music a very tiresome +and superfluous affair; but the Chief Forester had insisted that his +daughter should demonstrate not only her ability as a housekeeper, but +that she had also been educated in the higher arts.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was walking up and down the terrace with his sister-in-law, with the +original intention of listening to the music, but instead of that they +were quarreling again, although they had started out with a peaceful +conversation about the happiness of the children. This time the quarrel +seemed to be of a very violent nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I really do not know what to think of you, Moritz," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with a very red face. "You do not seem to have any sense of +the impropriety of this acquaintance. When I ask you who this bosom +friend of Toni's really is--the one who is expected at Waldhofen--you +answer me in the calmest manner possible that she is a singer, and +recently engaged at the Court Theatre. An actress! a theatre princess! +one of those frivolous creatures----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Regine, do not get so excited," interrupted von Schonan vexedly. +"You act as though the poor thing was already lost body and soul, +because she has appeared on the stage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So she is," declared Regine; "whoever once enters this Sodom and +Gomorrah is not to be saved--they go to their ruin there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very flattering to our Court Theatre," said Schonan drily. "Besides, +all of us go there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As audience--that is quite different. But I have always been against +it. Willy has been allowed to attend the theatre but seldom, and then +only in my company; but while I fulfil my maternal duty, +conscientiously protecting my son from any touch with those circles, +you give his future wife over freely to their poisonous influences. It +is worthy of a cry to heaven!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Her voice had grown very loud, partly through indignation and partly +that she might be heard, for the musical performance in the room, whose +glass doors stood wide open, was of a rather loud nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady had a somewhat hard touch and her performance reminded +one of the working of an ax in hard wood. Although her three listeners +had strong nerves, a low conversation had become an impossibility.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me explain this matter to you," said the Chief Forester +pacifyingly. "I have already told you that this case is an exception. +Marietta Volkmar is the granddaughter of our good old physician at +Waldhofen. He had the misfortune to lose his son in the prime of +life--the young widow followed her husband in the next year, and their +child, the little orphan, came to her grandfather. That happened when I +was promoted here to Furstenstein, ten years ago. Dr. Volkmar became my +house physician; his granddaughter the playmate of my children, and +because the school in Waldhofen was very poor, I offered to let the +little one participate in the lessons of my children. The friendship +dates from then.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Later on, when Toni was sent to boarding school for two years, and +Marietta went to the city for her musical education, this daily +intercourse was, of course, broken, but Marietta visits us regularly +when she comes to her grandfather during her vacations, and I do not +see why I should prohibit it as long as the girl remains good and +true."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen had listened to the explanation without abating +her severity in the least, and now she laughed ironically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good and true at the theatre! One knows how things go there, but you +seem to take it just as easy as this Dr. Volkmar, who looks so +venerable with his white hair, and yet consents to his granddaughter--a +young soul entrusted to his care--going on the path to destruction."</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Schonan made an impatient gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Regine, you are usually such a sensible woman, but you have never +wished to be reasonable on this point. The theatre and everything +connected with it has always been under a ban to you. The decision has +not been an easy one for the doctor. I know that; and if one like me +can sit in the warm nest and support one's children, one should not +break the staff over other parents who struggle with bitter cares. +Volkmar still works night and day with all his seventy years, but the +practice brings him but little, for our vicinity is poor, and Marietta +will be quite without means after his death."</p> + +<p class="normal">"She ought to have become a governess or companion, then; that is a +decent vocation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But a miserable vocation. One knows well how the poor things are +treated and overworked. If a child of mine, whom I loved, had to decide +her lot in life, and it was told me that she had a fortune in her +throat and that a splendid future was assured her--well, I should let +her go on the stage, depend upon that."</p> + +<p class="normal">This confession knocked the bottom out of the barrel. Frau Regine stood +for a moment quite still in affright; then she said solemnly: "Moritz, +I shudder at you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't care. If it gives you any pleasure to shudder, keep at it; but +if Marietta comes to Furstenstein as usual, I shall not repulse her, +and I also have nothing against Toni's going to see her in Waldhofen."</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Schonan had also to speak very loud, for his daughter was +pounding the keys so that the windows rattled, and the strings of the +piano were seriously endangered. The Chief Forester, while in the heat +of the controversy, noticed this as little as did his sister-in-law, +who now replied with much sharpness:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, it is at least a good thing that Toni is to marry soon. +Then the friendship with this theatre princess will come to an end, +depend upon that. Such guests are not suffered at our respectable +Burgsdorf, and Willy will not allow his wife the correspondence which +seems now to be going on at a lively rate."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That means that <i>you</i> will not allow it," shouted von Schonan, +mockingly. "Willy has nothing to forbid or allow; he is only the +obedient servant of his gracious Frau Mamma. It is unjustifiable how +you keep that boy under your thumb when he is of age, betrothed, and +soon to be a husband."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen, offended, straightened herself.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe I am more conscientious with my responsibilities than you +are. Do you wish to reproach me for raising my son with filial +reverence and love?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, well; there is a point where conscientiousness ceases and +maltreating commences. You have already made Willy quite silly +with your eternal supervision. He did not dare to even propose on his +own account; when the matter began to get too long for you, you +interfered as usual. 'Why these preliminaries, children? You shall +have each other--you wish it, your parents consent, you have my +blessing--therefore kiss each other and bring the thing to an end.' +That is your standpoint. I, too, had filial reverence and affection, +but if my parents had come into my wooing like that they would have +heard something very different. But Willy accepted it calmly. I truly +believe he was glad that he did not have to make a formal proposal."</p> + +<p class="normal">The excitement of the twain had again risen to the boiling point, and +it was now well that the noise inside had so increased that they could +not hear each other further.</p> + +<p class="normal">Fraulein Antonie had strength at least in her hands, and as she seemed +to consider that the most important thing, her performance sounded as +if a regiment of soldiers were storming an attack.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was too much for her father. He suddenly broke off the conversation +and entered the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Toni, you do not need to break the new piano," he said with +vexation. "What piece are you playing?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Toni sat at the piano, laboring in the sweat of her brow; not far +removed sat her betrothed upon a sofa, his head supported by his arm +and eyes shaded by his hand, apparently quite entranced with the music.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady turned at her father's question and said in her usual +slow voice, "I was playing the March of the Janissaries, papa. I +thought it would please Willy, since he, too, has been a soldier."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So? But he served as a dragoon," muttered Schonan, approaching his +future son-in-law, who did not seem to appreciate the delicate +attention, for he gave no sign of approval.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Willy, what do you say to it? Willy, do you not hear? I actually +believe he has fallen asleep."</p> + +<p class="normal">Alas! the supposition proved correct. While the March of the +Janissaries thundered over the keys, Willy had softly and sweetly +fallen asleep, slumbering so soundly that he did not even now awake. +This seemed too much for his mother, who had also approached. She +grasped his arm sharply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Willy, whatever does this mean? Are you not ashamed of yourself?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord, shaken and scolded on all sides, finally aroused +himself and sleepily gazed around. "What--what shall I---- Yes, it was +beautiful, dear Toni."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe it," cried the Chief with an angry laugh. "Do not trouble +yourself to play any more, my child. Come, we will let your groom-elect +have his nap out in peace. He has good nerves; one must confess that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Saying which he took his daughter's arm and left the room, where the +fullest maternal wrath now broke over poor Willibald. Frau von +Eschenhagen, already provoked by the preceding conversation, did not +spare her son, but justified only too well the reproaches of her +brother-in-law. She scolded the engaged and soon-to-be-a-husband young +man like a schoolboy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This surpasses everything conceivable," she concluded in highest +indignation. "Your father was not very much at courting, but if he, +after two days' betrothal, had fallen asleep while I was entertaining +him with my music, I should have aroused him very unceremoniously. Now, +do you go immediately to your fiancée and beg her pardon. She is quite +right to feel offended."</p> + +<p class="normal">With which she grasped him by the shoulder and pushed him very +emphatically toward the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willy accepted it all very humbly and remorsefully, for he was indeed +shocked at his untimely slumber; but he could not help it--he had been +so sleepy and the music was so wearying.</p> + +<p class="normal">Quite crushed, he entered the next room, where Toni stood, rather +offended, at the window.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dear Toni, do not think hard of me," he began hesitatingly; "it was so +hot and your playing had something so pacifying."</p> + +<p class="normal">Toni turned. That this march, with her playing of it, should be +pacifying was new to her; but when she saw the crushed mien of her +betrothed, who stood like a prisoner before her, her good nature +conquered, and she held out her hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I am not angry with you, Willy," she said cordially. "I do not +care either for the stupid music. We will do something more sensible +when we are at Burgsdorf."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, that we will," exclaimed Willy, joyfully pressing the offered +hand. He had not yet aspired to even a kiss upon the hand. "You are so +good, Toni."</p> + +<p class="normal">When Frau von Eschenhagen entered soon afterward, she found the couple +in perfect harmony, engaged in a highly interesting conversation about +dairy affairs, which were somewhat different in the two localities of +Burgsdorf and Furstenstein. This was a subject over which Willy did not +fall asleep, and his mother congratulated herself secretly upon this +splendid daughter-in-law, who showed no inconvenient sensitiveness.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man found opportunity almost directly to prove himself +grateful for the indulgence of his betrothed. Toni complained that a +package which she had ordered and which was needed for the supper table +had not yet come. It had arrived safely at the post office, but, it +seemed, with a wrong address, and had not been delivered to the +messenger, who in the meantime had been dispatched elsewhere. No other +servant was at liberty to go, and the time of need for it was drawing +near. Willibald hastened to offer his services, which were joyfully +accepted by his fiancée.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Waldhofen was the most important village of the vicinity, but still +only a small place. It was about half an hour's distance from +Furstenstein and formed a kind of centre for all the scattered villages +and hamlets of the Wald.</p> + +<p class="normal">It looked very desolate and forlorn during the afternoon hours, when +nobody was on the streets; so thought Herr von Eschenhagen as he walked +across the market place, where the post office was situated.</p> + +<p class="normal">He finished the errand which had brought him to Waldhofen, and found a +man to carry the parcel to the castle. Then, since the streets of the +quiet little place offered no diversion, he turned into a lane which +led to the high road behind the gardens of the houses.</p> + +<p class="normal">The path was rather boggy; yesterday's rain had made it quite without a +foothold in places. Yet Willibald was farmer enough not to care about +such things, but marched on unconcernedly.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was in an exceedingly happy mood. It was surely a pleasant thing to +be betrothed, and he did not doubt in the least that he would lead a +very happy life in the future with his good Toni.</p> + +<p class="normal">At this moment a carriage came toward him, making its way laboriously +through the boggy soil, and apparently bringing travellers, for a large +trunk was strapped on behind, and the inside seemed to contain various +travelling appurtenances.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald could not help wondering why they used this lane, which, in +its present condition, was very tiresome; indeed the driver seemed +dissatisfied. He turned in his seat to consult with the traveller, who +so far had not been visible.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It really does not go any further, Fraulein. I told you so before. We +cannot get through here, the wheels stick in the mud. We are in a fix +now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is not far now," said a fresh voice from the inside; "only a +few hundred paces. Just try it again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is not possible is not possible," returned the driver with +philosophical composure. "We cannot get through that mire before us; we +must turn back."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I do not wish to drive through town." The voice had a spice of +defiance in it now. "If it is not possible to drive on, I shall +dismount."</p> + +<p class="normal">The driver stopped, the door was opened, and a light, slender figure +sprang from the carriage with such sure aim as to reach a higher spot +across the mire. There she remained and glanced around searchingly: but +as the lane made a bend nearby, only a little of it could be +overlooked. The young lady seemed to observe this with dissatisfaction. +Then her glance fell upon Herr von Eschenhagen, who, approaching from +the other direction, now reached the bend.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Please, mein Herr, is the lane passable?" she called. He did not +answer directly, being petrified with admiration of her daring and +graceful jump. Why, she flew through the air like a feather and yet +stood firm and safe upon her feet where she landed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you not hear?" repeated the Fraulein impatiently; "I asked if the +lane is passable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I have walked over it," said Willibald, somewhat confused by the +dictatorial questioning.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I see that, but I have no boots like yours and cannot wade through the +mire. Is it possible to pass along the hedges? Great heavens! at least +answer me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I--I believe so. It is somewhat dry over yonder."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I shall try, then. Turn back, driver, and deliver my baggage at +the post office. I will send for it. Wait, I will take that satchel +with me. Hand it across."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the satchel is too heavy for you, Fraulein," remonstrated the +driver, "and I cannot leave the horses alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, this gentleman will carry it for me. It is not far to our +garden. Please, mein Herr, take the satchel, the small one upon the +back seat with the black leather lining. But do make haste."</p> + +<p class="normal">The little foot stamped the ground impatiently, for the young lord +stood there with open mouth. He could not comprehend how a total +stranger could dispose of him so nonchalantly, nor how so young a girl +could command in such a way.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the last very ungracious words, however, he made haste to approach +and take the designated satchel, which seemed the proper thing to be +done.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So," she said shortly. "You, driver, stop at the post office, and now +forward into the bogs of Waldhofen!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She picked up her gray travelling dress and walked close to the hedge, +where the road was somewhat higher and dryer.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald, of whom no notice was taken, trotted behind her with the +satchel. He had never seen anything so graceful as this slender figure, +which did not reach to his shoulder, and he occupied himself in +observing this figure, because he had nothing else to do.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl had something exceedingly charming and graceful in her +motions, as well as her whole appearance; but the small head, with the +dark hair curling from under her hat, was carried with undeniable +spirit. The face was rather irregular in outline, but lovely with its +dark, roguish eyes, while the small, rosy mouth, around which lay a +line of refractory defiance, and the two dimples in the chin, made it +perfectly charming. The gray travelling dress, in spite of its +plainness, was very tasteful and met the requirements of fashion. The +young traveller apparently did not belong to the home-made villagers of +Waldhofen.</p> + +<p class="normal">The road around the corner proved indeed somewhat dryer, but one had to +keep to the little, raised path near the hedge and to jump at times +over damp places. Conversation was, therefore, not possible, and Willy, +in truth, never thought of commencing it. He carried the satchel +patiently, accepting just as patiently the fact that his companion did +not concern herself in the least about him, until, after ten minutes' +walk, they stood at the low gate of a garden.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl bent over the pickets and pushed an inside bolt; then +she turned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Many thanks, mein Herr. Please give me my satchel now."</p> + +<p class="normal">In spite of its small dimensions, the bag was rather heavy, much too +heavy for the little hands outstretched for it. Willibald was seized +with a sudden attack of chivalry--not a usual fault with him--and +declared that he would carry it to the house, which was accepted with a +gracious nod.</p> + +<p class="normal">They passed through a small, but carefully kept, garden to an old, +plain house, and entered through the back door into a cool, dusky hall, +where their arrival was immediately perceived. An old servant rushed +out of the kitchen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fraulein! Fraulein Marietta! Have you come already to-day? Ach, what +joy----"</p> + +<p class="normal">She got no further, for Marietta flew to her and pressed her little +hand upon her mouth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Be still, Babette! Speak quietly; I want to surprise him. Is he at +home?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, the Herr Doctor is in his study. Do you wish to go there, +Fraulein?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I will steal into the sitting room and sing his favorite song. +Careful now, Babette; so that he does not hear us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Like a fairy she slipped lightly and noiselessly to the other side of +the house and opened a door. Babette followed her, not noticing, in the +joy and surprise of her Fraulein's return, that some one else stood in +the dark hall. The door was left wide open, a chair was carefully +moved, and directly a low prelude began in trembling notes, probably +from a venerable old piano; but it sounded like the music of a harp, +and then a voice arose, clear and sweet and joyous as a lark.</p> + +<p class="normal">It did not last many minutes, for a door opposite was hastily opened, +and a white-haired old man appeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Marietta, my Marietta! is it really you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandpapa!" was cried back, joyfully. The song broke off and Marietta +threw herself upon her grandfather's neck.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You naughty child, how you have frightened me!" he scolded, tenderly. +"I did not expect you until the day after to-morrow, and intended to +meet you at the station. Now I hear your voice, and do not dare to +believe my ears."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl laughed merrily as a child. She was more than happy and +content.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, the surprise has been a complete success, grandpapa. I drove into +the lane and actually stuck in the bog. I came in the back door. What +do you want, Babette?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fraulein, the man who brought the bag is still there," said the old +servant, who had but just observed the stranger. "Shall I pay him for +you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord still stood there with the satchel in his hand. But now +Dr. Volkmar turned and exclaimed in great embarrassment: "Gracious +heavens! Herr von Eschenhagen!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you know the gentleman?" Marietta asked without much surprise, for +her grandfather was accustomed to meet all of Waldhofen in his office +of physician.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly. Babette, take the valise from the gentleman. I beg your +pardon, mein Herr. I did not know that you were already acquainted with +my granddaughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, we are not acquainted in the least," declared the girl. "Will you +not present the gentleman to me, grandpapa?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, my child. Herr Willibald von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Toni's betrothed!" interrupted Marietta, gaily. "Oh, how funny that we +should meet in the middle of a bog! If I had only known, Herr von +Eschenhagen, I would not have treated you so badly. I let you follow me +like a regular porter. But why did you not say something?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald did not say anything now, but looked mutely at the little +hand which was cordially extended to him. Feeling that he had to either +say or do something, he grasped the rosy little hand in his giant fist +and squeezed and shook it heartily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh!" cried the young lady, retreating horrified; "you have an awful +handshake, Herr von Eschenhagen. I believe you have broken my fingers."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald turned red with confusion and stammered an excuse. +Fortunately, Dr. Volkmar now invited him to enter, which invitation he +accepted silently, and Marietta narrated in a very laughable way her +meeting with him. She treated her friend's betrothed like an old +acquaintance, for she had long known of their engagement. She asked him +about Toni, about the Chief Forester and all the household, her small, +red mouth rattling on like a mill wheel.</p> + +<p class="normal">Still the young lord was almost mute. The clear voice which sounded, +even in talking, like the twittering of birds, utterly confused him.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had only met the doctor yesterday, when the latter had called +at Furstenstein. There had been some casual mention of a certain +Marietta--a friend of Toni's--but he did not know anything further, for +his fiancée was not very communicative.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And this naughty child allows you to stand in the hall without +ceremony, while she seats herself at the piano to notify me of her +arrival," said Volkmar, shaking his head. "That was very naughty, +Marietta."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl laughed and shook her curly head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, Herr von Eschenhagen will not be offended at that, and therefore +he may listen while I sing you your favorite song again. You scarcely +heard a note of it before. Shall I begin now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Without waiting for an answer, she ran to the piano, and again that +silvery, clear voice arose, entrancing the ear with its charm. She sang +an old, simple carol, but it sounded as soft and sweet and coaxing as +if spring and sunshine had suddenly entered the desolate rooms of the +old house. It spread sunshine over the face of the old, white-haired +man, where many a line of care and anxiety was visible. He listened +with a smile, half sad, half happy, to the song which may have reminded +him of his youth. But he was not the only attentive listener.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord of Burgsdorf, who two hours previously had fallen asleep +amidst the thunders of "The Janissaries' March"--who, in perfect accord +with his betrothed, had considered silly music a tiresome thing--now +listened to those soft, floating sounds as intently as if they brought +him a revelation.</p> + +<p class="normal">He sat there, bent over, his eyes fixed immovably upon the young girl, +who apparently put all her soul into the song, moving her head to and +fro with an infinitely graceful motion.</p> + +<p class="normal">When the song ended he breathed deeply and passed his hand across his +brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My little singing bird," said Dr. Volkmar, tenderly bending over his +granddaughter and kissing her brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, grandpapa, my voice has not exactly deteriorated in the last few +months, has it?" she asked, teasingly, "but it does not seem to please +Herr von Eschenhagen. He does not say a word about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">She glanced with a childish pout over at Willibald, who now also arose +and approached the piano. A slight flush suffused his face, and his +usually quiet eyes flashed as he said in a low tone: "Oh, it was +beautiful, very beautiful!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young singer may have been accustomed to other compliments, but she +felt the deep, honest admiration in the laconic words, and knew very +well the impression the song had made. She smiled, therefore, as she +replied: "Yes, the song is beautiful. I have always had a regular +triumph when I sang it as an addition to my rôle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To your rôle!" replied Willibald, not understanding the expression.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, in the play from which I have just returned. Oh, it has been a +splendid success, grandpapa. The manager would gladly have prolonged +it, but I had already given the greater part of my vacation to it, and +I wished to be with you at least a few weeks."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord listened with increasing astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">Play! vacation! manager! What could all that mean? The doctor saw his +surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr von Eschenhagen does not know your vocation, my child," he said, +quietly. "My granddaughter has been educated for the opera."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How dryly you say that, grandpapa!" cried Marietta, springing up. +Straightening herself to the fullest height of her dainty figure, she +added, with mock solemnity: "For five months a member of the highly +respected Ducal Court Theatre, a person of official honors and renown!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Member of the Court Theatre! Willibald almost shuddered at those awful +words. The obedient son of his mother shared her disdain of +"actresses." Involuntarily he receded a step and glared horrified at +the young lady who had imparted such awful news to him. She laughed +merrily at this motion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are not compelled to show so exceeding much respect and awe, Herr +von Eschenhagen. I will allow you to remain near the piano. Has not +Toni told you that I am on the stage?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Toni--no!" Willibald burst out, having lost his composure completely. +"But she is waiting for me. I must return to Furstenstein. I have +tarried here already too long."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are very polite," laughed the girl, gayly. "That is not very +flattering to us, but since you are engaged you must naturally return +to your fiancée."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and to my mamma," said Willibald, who had a dark feeling that +something awful threatened him, before which his mother appeared as a +saving angel. "I beg your pardon, but I have stayed here already too +long----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He stopped, for he remembered that he had already said that once, and +searched for other words, but could not find any, and, unhappily, +repeated the phrase for the third time.</p> + +<p class="normal">Marietta almost choked with laughter, but Dr. Volkmar declared politely +that they did not wish to detain him any longer, and begged him to take +his regards to the Chief Forester and Fraulein von Schonan.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord scarcely heard. He looked for his hat, made a bow, +stammered a few words of adieu and ran off as if his head was burning. +He had but one thought--that he must leave as quickly as possible; that +gay, teasing laugh made him crazy.</p> + +<p class="normal">When Volkmar, who had escorted Willibald to the door, returned, his +granddaughter was wiping the tears from her eyes, quite overcome with +laughter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe something is wrong with Toni's betrothed here," she cried, +putting a delicate ringer to her forehead. "At first he ran behind me, +mutely carrying the bag like a fish wife; then he seemed to thaw at my +singing, and now he is seized with an attack of something and runs away +to Furstenstein to his 'mamma,' so quickly that I could not even send a +greeting to his betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor smiled a little plaintively. He had observed closely and +guessed whence came this sudden change of manner in his guest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The young man has probably not had much intercourse with ladies," he +said, evasively; "and he seems to stand somewhat in awe of his mother, +but he appears to please his fiancée very well, and that is surely the +most important thing."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he is handsome," said Marietta, somewhat thoughtfully; "even very +handsome. But I believe, grandpapa, he is also very stupid."</p> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime Willibald had run like a storm to the next corner, +where he came to a standstill and tried to collect his thoughts, which +were in great confusion. It was a long time before he succeeded, but he +looked back once more to the doctor's house before he walked on.</p> + +<p class="normal">What would his mother say to it? She who had placed the whole world of +actresses under a ban; and she was right. Willy plainly felt that +something bewitching belonged to the tribe; one had to beware of them.</p> + +<p class="normal">But what if this Marietta Volkmar should take a notion to visit her +friend at Furstenstein? The young lord ought to have been horrified at +the thought, and was convinced that he was horrified; but with all that +the strange flash returned to his eyes. He suddenly saw in the +reception room, at the piano where Toni had been a little while ago, a +small, delicate figure, whose dark, curly head moved to and fro like a +bird, and the thunder of the march changed into the soft, rippling +notes of the old carol, while between all again sounded the gay, +silvery laugh which also was music.</p> + +<p class="normal">And all this loveliness must be ruined and lost because it belonged to +the stage! Frau von Eschenhagen had often expressed such an opinion, +and Willibald was too good a son not to consider her an oracle. But he +heaved a deep sigh, and murmured: "Oh, what a pity; what a great pity!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">About half way between Furstenstein and Rodeck, where the forest +mountains rose to their greatest height, lay the Hochberg, a popular +resort for sight-seeing on account of its magnificent views. The old +stone tower upon its summit, the last remnant of an otherwise totally +demolished castle ruin, had been made an object of interest, and at its +foot nestled a little inn, which entertained numerous guests from the +neighborhood. Strangers did not often come into these almost unknown +forest mountains and valleys. Visitors of any sort were somewhat rare +now in the fall, but to-day's beautiful weather had enticed several +people out on the trip. Half an hour ago two gentlemen had arrived on +horseback, attended by a groom, and now a carriage, bringing more +sight-seers, drove up to the inn.</p> + +<p class="normal">Upon the flat roof of the tower, near the stone breastwork, stood the +two gentlemen, the younger one zealously occupied in pointing out and +explaining the various points of interest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, our Hochberg is renowned for its views." he said. "I was obliged +to show them to you, Hartmut. Is not the view over this wide, green +forest ocean incomparable?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut did not answer; he seemed to be looking through the glass for +some distant point.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where is Furstenstein? Ah, there. It seems to be an enormous old +structure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, the castle is worth seeing," assented Prince Adelsberg. "But, +outside of that, you were wise to remain at home the other day; I was +bored to death by the visit."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So? You seemed to think a great deal of the Chief Forester."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, I like to chat with him; but he had driven out and returned +only just before I left. His son is not at Furstenstein. He is studying +at the school for foresters, so I had to wait upon Fraulein von +Schonan; but that pleasure was not exactly interesting. A word every +five minutes and a minute to every word. Very many domestic virtues, +but very little behind the forehead. I kept the conversation going by +the sweat of my brow, and then had the honor of meeting the betrothed +of the Baroness--a genuine, undiluted country squire, with a very +energetic mamma, who has him and the future daughter-in-law under +complete control. We had an exceedingly brilliant conversation, finally +landing on turnip culture, in which I was thoroughly instructed. The +visit was bearable only when the Chief Forester returned with his +brother-in-law, the Baron Wallmoden."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow still held the glass directed upon Furstenstein, listening, +apparently, indifferently. Now he repeated questioningly: "Wallmoden?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The new Prussian Ambassador to our court, a genuine diplomat in +appearance; aristocratic, cool and buttoned up to the chin; also having +very agreeable manners. Her Excellency, the Frau Baroness, was not +visible, which I bore with composure, since the husband already has +gray hair, and consequently the lady would probably be of an age which +one approaches only with veneration."</p> + +<p class="normal">A peculiarly bitter expression played around Hartmut's lips as he now +lowered the glass.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had kept his encounter with Frau von Wallmoden from his friend. Why +mention the name? He wished to be reminded of it as little as possible.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But our romantic forest solitude will soon be ended," continued Egon. +"I heard from the Chief Forester that the court will come to +Furstenstein this year for the hunting season, and I can then expect a +visit from the Duke. I am not very delighted at the prospect, for my +highly honored uncle has a habit of holding forth to me just as +frequent and just as impressive moral sermons as Stadinger, and I must +naturally keep the peace then. But I shall present you at this visit, +Hartmut. You consent?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you consider it necessary, and the etiquette of your court +allows----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bah! the etiquette is not so strictly adhered to with us. Besides, the +Rojanows belong to the nobility of your country, do they not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, you are in every case entitled to the presentation. I +consider it by all means desirable, for I have set my mind on seeing +your 'Arivana' at our Court Theatre; and as soon as the Duke knows you +and your work, that will be done beyond a doubt."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words betrayed the passionate admiration the young Prince felt for +his friend; but the latter only shrugged his shoulders slightly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Possibly, particularly if you plead for me; but I do not like to +succeed under protection. I am no poet of renown. Indeed, I'm not sure +whether I am a poet; and if my work cannot smooth a way for itself----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You would be obstinate enough to keep it from publicity; that is like +you. Have you no ambition at all?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps only too much, and from that arises originally what you call +my obstinacy. I never could bow down and subordinate myself in life. I +could not; my whole nature rose against it, and I am not at all suited +to the ways of your court."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who told you that?" laughed Egon. "They will flatter and spoil you +there, just like everywhere else. It is your nature to rise everywhere +like a meteor, and one does not expect these stars to travel in old +routes. Besides, you have from the start the exceptional position of +guest and foreigner, and when you are once summoned by the halo of +poesy, then----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then it is with that you intend to keep me here in your country?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, yes. I do not think that I alone possess the power to keep +you here permanently, you wild, restless guest; but a rising poet's +name is a fetter which one does not slip off so easily, and I have +sworn to myself since this morning not to let you go again at any +price."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow started and looked at him inquiringly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why just since this morning?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is my secret for the present," said Egon, jestingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, more guests are coming here, it seems."</p> + +<p class="normal">A step was heard upon the narrow, winding stone stairs, and the bearded +face of the tower watchman appeared at the opening which led to the +platform.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Please take care, gracious lady," he said, warningly, looking back +with concern; "the last steps are very steep and much worn. So, now we +are at the top."</p> + +<p class="normal">He offered a helping hand to the lady who followed him, but she did not +need it, ascending easily with effort.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a beautiful girl!" whispered Prince Adelsberg to his friend, who, +instead of replying, made a deep and formal bow before the lady. She +could not conceal a certain surprise at the sight of him. "Ah, Herr +Rojanow, you here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am admiring the view from the Hochberg, which may also have +attracted you, Your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">The face of the Prince betrayed boundless astonishment when the +"beautiful girl" was called "Excellency," and when he saw that she was +not a stranger to his friend. He speedily drew near for an introduction +to this acquaintance, and Hartmut could not avoid presenting the Prince +Adelsberg to the Baroness Wallmoden.</p> + +<p class="normal">He touched upon the forest encounter very lightly, for the lady found +it convenient to-day to enshroud herself in her haughty reserve. It was +hardly necessary, for Rojanow observed the strictest reticence. Both +seemed decided to treat the acquaintance as a very slight and formal +one.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon had thrown a glance of the liveliest reproach upon his friend. He +could not understand how Hartmut could have kept such a meeting to +himself; but, after that, he cast himself with ardor into the +conversation. He announced himself a neighbor, mentioned his recent +call at Furstenstein, and expressed his regret at having missed Frau +von Wallmoden at that time. A conversation was commenced, in which the +Prince exhibited his amiability and vivacity, while retaining the +reserve of etiquette. He knew from the beginning that he stood before +the wife of the Ambassador, whom one could not approach with a bold +compliment, as Hartmut had ventured.</p> + +<p class="normal">Finally his happy, unaffected good humor succeeded in diminishing the +icy atmosphere which surrounded the beautiful woman, and he had the +good fortune of being permitted to show and explain to her the +surrounding country.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut did not join in the conversation with his usual vivacity, and +when he again drew out the glass from his pocket, at the Prince's +request, he suddenly missed his letter-case.</p> + +<p class="normal">The watchman offered at once to look for it, but Rojanow declared he +would do it himself. He remembered exactly the place where something +had slipped to the floor when he came up the stairs, which he had not +noticed at the time. It was the letter-case, no doubt, and he would +find it with little trouble and return. Saying which, he bowed and +departed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Under other circumstances Egon would doubtless have thought it strange +that his friend should refuse the offer of the old man and take upon +himself the trouble of searching the dark stairway, but he was at +present so totally occupied with his office of explanatory exhibitor +that he did not seem to regret being left alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Wallmoden had accepted the glass which he offered her and +followed with apparent attention his explanations as he pointed out all +the various heights and villages.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And over yonder, behind those hills, lies Rodeck," he concluded; "the +little hunting lodge where we live like two hermits, cut off from all +the world, having only the company of monkeys and parrots, which we +brought from the Orient, and which have already become quite +melancholy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not look at all like a hermit, Your Highness," said the young +Baroness, with a fleeting smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In truth, I have not much taste for it; but at times Hartmut has +perfect attacks of the ailment, and then I bury myself in solitude for +weeks for his pleasure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut! That is a thoroughly German name, and it is also surprising +that Herr Rojanow speaks German with such fluency and without even a +foreign intonation. Yet he introduced himself to me as a foreigner."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly. He comes from Roumania, but was raised by relatives in +Germany, from whom also he may have inherited the German name," said +the Prince, simply.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was plainly to be seen that he knew nothing further of the origin of +his friend. "I became acquainted with him at Paris, when I was about to +begin my trip to the East, and he decided to accompany me. It was my +good star of fortune that brought him to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem infatuated with your friend."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was something like disapprobation in the tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Your Excellency, I am indeed," affirmed Egon, warmly; "and not I +alone. Hartmut is one of those genial natures who conquers and wins +people by storm wherever he appears. You should see and hear him when +he is heart and soul enthusiastic. Then his soul flames like fire into +yours. He envelops everything with his warmth; one has to follow where +his flight leads."</p> + +<p class="normal">The enthusiastic eulogy found a very cool listener. The young lady +seemed to bend all her attention upon the landscape, as she replied: +"You may be correct. Herr Rojanow's eyes betray something of it, but +such fiery natures make upon me an impression more uncanny than +sympathetic."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps because they bear the demoniac lines which are peculiar to +genius. Hartmut has them. He startles me sometimes, and yet the dark +depths of his nature draw me irresistibly to him. I have actually +forgotten how to live without him and shall try everything to retain +him in our country."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In Germany? You will hardly succeed in that, Your Highness. Herr +Rojanow has a poor opinion of our fatherland. He betrayed that to me +the day before yesterday in rather an offensive way."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince became attentive. The words at once explained the cold +reserve, which was not usually Hartmut's manner toward a beautiful +woman, and which had surprised him at the first moment. But he smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, that was the reason why he did not speak of the encounter. Your +Excellency has probably shown him your displeasure. It serves him +right. Why does he prevaricate with such persistency? He has irritated +me often enough with this assumed depreciation, which I accepted then +in good faith; but I know better now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not believe in it?" Adelaide suddenly turned from the view to +the speaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I have the proof of it in my hands. He is infatuated with our +German land. You look at me incredulously, Your Excellency. May I +impart a secret to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was looking for Hartmut this morning in his room, but did not find +him, I found, instead, a poem upon his desk, which he had probably +forgotten to lock up, for it was surely not intended for my eyes. I +stole it, without any compunction of conscience, and carry the spoils +still with me. Will you permit me to read it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not understand the Roumanian language," said Frau von Wallmoden, +with cool satire. "Herr Rojanow has scarcely condescended to compose a +poem in German."</p> + +<p class="normal">Instead of answering, Egon drew out the paper and opened it. "You are +prejudiced against my friend; I see it. But I do not like you to regard +him in the wrong light in which he has placed himself. May I justify +him with his own words?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you please."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded indifferent, and yet Adelaide's gaze was riveted with +a strange expectancy upon the paper, which seemed to contain only a few +hastily written stanzas. Egon read.</p> + +<p class="normal">They were German verses, indeed; but of a perfection and harmony which +could belong only to a master of the language. The pictures they +conjured up before the listener were strangely familiar. Deep, dreamy +forest solitude, touched by the first breath of approaching autumn; +endless green depths which beckoned and charmed irresistibly with their +twilight shadows; aromatic meadows flooded with sunlight; small, still +waters, which gleamed in the distance, and the foaming forest brook +roaring down from the heights.</p> + +<p class="normal">And this picture had taken on life and language. That which whispered +in it was the old, old song of the forest itself; its murmuring and +rustling--its mysterious working gathered into words which enchanted +the ear of the listener like melody, while through it all floated and +moaned a deep, unspeakable longing for this forest peace.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince read warmly at first, then with great enthusiasm. Now he +dropped the sheet and asked triumphantly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Baroness had listened spellbound. She did not look at the +reader, but stared motionless into the blue distance. At the question +she started slightly and hastily turned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What did you say, Your Highness?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is this the language of a depredator of our fatherland? I believe +not," said Egon in most decided tones, but greatly as he was engrossed +with his friend's poetry, he could still notice how exceptionally +beautiful Frau von Wallmoden looked at this moment.</p> + +<p class="normal">Of course, it must have been the setting sun which lent the rosy +coloring to her face and the brilliancy to her eyes, for her bearing +was as cold as her answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is really surprising that a foreigner should command the German +language so perfectly."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon looked at her in amazement. Was this all? He had expected a +different impression. "And what do you think of the poem itself?" he +asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite excellent. Herr Rojanow seems indeed to possess much poetic +talent. But here is your glass, Your Highness. I thank you. I must be +thinking of the descent now, as I do not wish to keep my husband +waiting too long."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon folded up the paper slowly and deposited it in his breast pocket. +He felt the icy breath now surround again the beautiful woman, which +chilled him to the heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I already have the honor of an acquaintance with His Excellency," he +said. "May I renew it today?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A slight bow gave the permission to accompany her. They left the +platform, but the Prince had grown somewhat monosyllabic. He felt +offended for his friend, and now regretted having given this poetry, +the beauty of which carried him away, to a lady who had no +understanding of, nor appreciation whatever for, poetry.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost +letter-case resting safely in its usual place. It had served its +purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her +husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the +troublesome climbing of the steep stairs.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at +least take place without witnesses. If Wallmoden should recognize the +son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be +able to master his surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut did not fear this meeting, even if it were inconvenient and +uncomfortable to him. There was but one face in the whole world he +feared--only one face to which he would not dare lift his eyes--and +that face was far away; probably he would never see it again. Every one +else he met with the proud defiance of a man who had only done right in +withdrawing from a hated vocation.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was decided upon not permitting any expression of reproach, but, if +he should be recognized, to request the Ambassador in the most decided +manner to consider certain old connections, with which he had so +totally broken, as no longer existing. With this conclusion he emerged +into the open air.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herbert Wallmoden sat with his sister upon the little veranda of the +inn. The Chief Forester had been too much occupied with the approaching +arrival of the court, the hunting expeditions of which he had to +arrange, to accompany the party. The betrothed couple had also remained +at home; but the day for the little trip could not have been more +pleasant.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This Hochberg is really worth seeing," said Frau von Eschenhagen, her +eyes roaming over the country. "We have almost the same view here as +upon the top of the tower. Why climb and overheat oneself and lose +one's breath on those never-ending steps?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Adelaide was of a different opinion," replied Wallmoden, with a casual +glance at the tower. "She does not know fatigue nor how to get +overheated."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And also how not to catch cold. She proved that the day before +yesterday, when she came home drenched through. She did not catch the +least cold."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless, I have requested her to take an escort for her future +walks," said the Ambassador, calmly. "To get lost in the forest, wade a +creek, and be guided to the right path by the first hunter one comes +across are things which must not occur again. Adelaide agreed with me +and promised immediately to obey my wishes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, she is a sensible woman, a thoroughly healthy nature from which +anything romantic or adventurous is far removed," complimented Regine. +"But there seem to be more visitors upon the tower. I thought we should +be the only guests to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden looked indifferently at the tall, slender gentleman who now +emerged from the small tower door and walked toward the inn. Frau von +Eschenhagen also looked at him carelessly; but suddenly her glance grew +keener, and she started.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herbert--look!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That stranger there. What a strange resemblance!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To whom?" asked Herbert, growing more attentive and looking sharply at +the stranger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To--impossible! That is not only a resemblance. It is he himself."</p> + +<p class="normal">She sprang up, pale with excitement, and her look fastened itself upon +the features of the man just now putting his foot upon the first step +of the veranda. She met his eyes, those dark, glowing eyes, which had +so often shone upon her from the face of the boy, and the last doubt +disappeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut--Hartmut Falkenried--you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">She was suddenly silenced by Wallmoden's laying his hand heavily upon +her arm and saying slowly, but with emphasis: "You are mistaken, +Regine. We do not know this gentleman."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut stopped short when he caught sight of Frau von Eschenhagen, who +had been hidden by the foliage. He was not prepared for her presence. +At the moment he recognized her the words of the Ambassador reached his +ear. He knew that icy tone only too well; it forced the blood to his +brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herbert!" Regine looked doubtingly at her brother, who still held her +by the arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We do not know him," he repeated in the same tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it possible that I have to tell you that, Regine?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She understood now his meaning. With a half threatening, half painful +glance, she turned her back upon the son of her friend and said, with +deep bitterness:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right. I was mistaken."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut started, and in rising anger he drew a step nearer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr von Wallmoden!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did you speak to me?" The tone was as stinging and scornful as before.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have anticipated my wishes, Your Excellency," said Hartmut, +forcing himself to be calm. "I wished to ask you not to recognize me. +We are strangers to each other."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned and walked off defiantly, tall and erect, and entered the +house by another door.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden looked after him with darkened brow. Then he turned to his +sister.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Could you not control yourself better, Regine? Why have a scene at +such a meeting? This Hartmut does not exist any longer for us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine's face betrayed only too well how much this encounter had +shocked her. Her lips still quivered as she replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am no practiced diplomat like you, Herbert. I have not learned to be +still when one whom I thought dead or ruined suddenly appears before +me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dead? that was hardly to be expected at his age. Ruined, corrupted? +that might be nearer it. His life up to the present moment has lain in +that direction."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you know about it?" Frau von Eschenhagen started with surprise. "Do +you know of his life?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Partly. Falkenried was too much my friend for me not to investigate +what became of his son. Of course, I was silent to him as well as you +concerning it; but as soon as I had returned to my office that time, I +used our diplomatic relations, which reach everywhere, to inquire about +it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, what did you learn?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Principally only that which was to be expected. Zalika had turned her +steps directly homeward with her son. You know that her stepfather--our +cousin Wallmoden--was already dead when she returned to her mother +after the divorce. The connections on our side were thereby broken off, +but I learned that shortly before Zalika's reappearance in Germany she +had come into the possession of the Rojanow estates."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Zalika? Did she not have a brother?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he had charge of the estates for ten years, but died, unmarried, +from an accident while hunting, and, since his mother's second +marriage had resulted in no descendant, Zalika entered now upon the +inheritance--at least in name--for through the reckless management of +the Bojar, the most of it belonged to the Jews. Nevertheless, she now +felt herself master, and planned the <i>coup</i> of getting possession of +her son. The old, wild life was then continued upon the estates for a +few years, with senseless management, until everything was gone. Then +mother and son, like a couple of gypsies, went out into the wide +world."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden narrated this with the same cold contempt which he had shown +to Hartmut, and the same horror and aversion were pictured in the face +of his sister--that strictly duteous and moral lady. Nevertheless, a +certain degree of sympathy was in her voice as she asked: "And you have +not heard anything of them since?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, several times. A casual mention of the name led me to the track. +While I was at the embassy at Florence, they were in Rome; a few years +later they appeared in Paris, and there I heard of the death of Frau +Zalika Rojanow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So she is dead," said Frau von Eschenhagen, in a low voice. "What do +you think they have lived on all these years?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do all adventurers who wander homeless over the world live on? +They may perhaps have saved something from the wreck, perhaps not. At +any rate, they visited all the salons in Paris and Rome. A woman like +Zalika finds help and protection everywhere. She had the title of +nobility as daughter of a Bojar, and the forced sale of the Roumania +property was probably not known, so it played a prominent part in their +success. Society opens its doors only too quickly to this element if it +knows how to keep up appearances, which seems to have been the case +here. By what means, that, of course, is another question."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But Hartmut, whom she forcibly carried into such a life--what of him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"An adventurer--what else?" said the Ambassador, with intense +harshness. "He always had an inclination that way; he will have +developed finely in such a school. I have not heard anything of him +since the death of his mother, three years ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you kept it a secret from me?" said Regine, reproachfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wished to spare you. You had taken this scoundrel--this Hartmut--too +much into your heart. I was afraid you might be carried away in a hint +to Falkenried."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You took unnecessary pains. I have ventured but once to speak of +the past to Falkenried. He looked at me--I shall never forget that +look--and said, with an awful expression: 'My son is dead--you know +that, Regine. Let the dead rest!' I shall certainly not mention that +name to him again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I do not need to caution you when you return home," replied +Wallmoden. "But you ought not to speak of it to Willibald, either. His +good nature might play him a trick when he learns that his once great +friend lives in the neighborhood. It is best for him to hear nothing of +it. I shall certainly ignore this <i>gentleman</i> at a possible second +meeting, and Adelaide does not know him at all. She does not even know +that Falkenried had a son."</p> + +<p class="normal">He broke off and arose, for his young wife now appeared in the door of +the tower.</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince Adelsberg renewed the acquaintance of yesterday and inquired +innocently if his friend, Rojanow, had passed by here. He could not +explain his absence.</p> + +<p class="normal">A glance from Wallmoden warned his sister, who was proof this time +against surprise. Wallmoden himself regretted not having seen the +gentleman, and said that he was just about to leave with his wife and +sister, having only awaited the former's return. The order for the +carriage was given at once, to which Egon accompanied them, taking +leave of them with a deep bow, but following the carriage with +attentive eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut stood alone at a window of the inn, also observing the +departure. The same ashy paleness again overspread his face, which had +gleamed there at the first mention of the name of Wallmoden; but now it +was the whiteness of a wild anger which almost shocked him.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had expected questions and reproaches, which, of course, he had +intended to refute haughtily; but was met instead with a complete +ignoring, which was a deadly insult to his pride. Wallmoden's harsh +warning to his sister, "We do not know him--have I to remind you of +that?" had wrought up his whole being. He felt the annihilation +contained in it. And the woman, who had always shown him a mother's +love--even Frau von Eschenhagen--had joined her brother in turning her +back upon him, as upon a person one is ashamed to have once known. This +was too much.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, here you are!" Egon's voice came from the door. "You disappeared +as if the earth had swallowed you. Has the unlucky letter-case been +found?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow turned. He was obliged to recall the pretext he had used.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, indeed," he answered absently, "it lay upon the stairs."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, the guide would have found it just as well. Why did you not come +back? Very polite of you to leave Frau von Wallmoden and me without +ceremony. You have not even taken leave of the lady. His Excellency's +highest displeasure is sure to fall upon you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall know how to bear the misfortune," said Hartmut, shrugging his +shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince drew near and laid his hand jestingly upon his friend's +shoulder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So? It is probably because you fell into disgrace yesterday. It is not +your usual way to run off where the entertainment of a beautiful lady +is concerned. Oh, I know all about it. Her Excellency has given you a +lecture over your loving tirades against Germany, and the spoiled +favorite has been offended. Why, one could afford to be told the truth +by such lips."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to be quite transported," sneered Hartmut. "Beware lest the +husband be not jealous in spite of his years."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is a strange couple," said Egon musingly, as if lost in thought; +"that old diplomat, with his gray hair and immovable face, and his +young wife with her brilliant beauty like----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"An aurora which rises from a sea of ice. It is only a question of +which stood furthest below zero."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Prince laughed heartily. "Very poetical and very malicious; +but you are not far wrong. I have also felt something of this polar +breath touching me chillingly several times; but that is my luck. +Otherwise I would fall hopelessly in love with the beautiful +Excellency. But I think it is time for us to leave, <i>nicht wahr?</i>"</p> + +<p class="normal">He went to the door to call the groom. Hartmut following, threw one +more glance out to where, through an opening in the forest, the +Ambassador's carriage was again visible, and his hands clinched +involuntarily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We shall speak yet, Herr Wallmoden," he muttered. "I shall remain now. +He shall not think that I fly from his presence. I shall allow Egon to +present me at court, and exert my utmost to make my work a success. We +shall see then if he dares treat me like a first-class adventurer. He +shall pay for that tone and look!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Everything at Furstenstein was in a state of preparation for the +arrival of the Court. Their stay was to be of longer duration than for +a short hunting expedition; they were to remain several weeks, for +which time the Duchess also was expected. The upper stories of the +castle, with their numerous suites of rooms, were being aired and put +in order. A portion of the court officials and servants had already +arrived. Extensive and festive preparations were also being made in +Waldhofen, through which the Court was to pass on its way to the +castle.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden's stay, which, under ordinary circumstances, would have been +short, was prolonged. The Duke, who was pleased to distinguish the +Ambassador in every way, had heard of his attending a family fête at +Furstenstein, and had expressed a wish to find him and his wife still +there. The invitation was equivalent to a command which had to be +obeyed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen and her son also wished to remain to look at the +Court in close proximity; and the Chief Forester, who wished to +distinguish himself in the probably extensive hunts, held daily +conferences with the Head Forester and his subordinates, and put the +whole forestry in motion.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was much bustle already about the castle. A sound of merry +chattering and clear laughter came from Fraulein von Schonan's room. +Marietta Volkmar had come to her friend for an hour, and as usual there +was no end to the talking and laughing.</p> + +<p class="normal">Toni sat near the window, and Willibald, who was acting as guard at his +mother's command, stood beside her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen so far had not had her way about the intercourse +of the two girls. Her brother-in-law had remained obstinate, and even +her future daughter-in-law, usually so compliant, rendered unexpected +resistance when the subject was broached.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot, dear Aunt," Toni had answered. "Marietta is so sweet and +good that I cannot offend her so bitterly."</p> + +<p class="normal">Sweet and good! Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders over the +inexperience of the young girl, whose eyes she did not wish to open, +but she felt bound to interfere, and concluded to act diplomatically +this time.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald, accustomed to confess everything to his mother, had narrated +to a fine point the encounter with the young singer. Frau von +Eschenhagen had naturally been beside herself to think that the master +of Burgsdorf should have carried a satchel behind the "theatre +princess!" On the other hand, she heard the description of his horror +upon learning who this lady really was, and his running away, with high +pleasure, and thought it exceedingly praiseworthy that he objected to +the rôle of guard over the girl. Of course he disliked every touch with +such a person; but since his mother found it beneath her dignity to +attend these meetings, he <i>must</i> protect his bride-elect.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was given the curt command to never leave the young ladies alone, +but to report explicitly how this Marietta actually behaved herself. +After the first report, which would undoubtedly be atrocious, Frau +Regine would impress upon her brother-in-law's conscience the frivolous +association he had allowed his child; would call upon her son as +witness, and request emphatically the breaking off of the friendship.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald had finally consented. He had been present when Fraulein +Volkmar made her first visit to Furstenstein. He had accompanied his +fiancée when she returned the call at Waldhofen, and now stood at his +post to-day.</p> + +<p class="normal">Antonie and Marietta talked about the expected arrival of the Court, +and the former, who had but little taste in dress, asked her friend's +advice, which was gladly given.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What must you wear? Roses, of course," said Marietta; "white or +delicate-colored ones. They will look lovely with the dainty blue."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I do not like roses," declared Toni. "I intended to wear +asters----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then why not sunflowers? Do you wish to appear autumnal in spite of +everything, although you are a young girl and a bride-elect? And how +can you help liking roses? I love them passionately and use them at +every opportunity. I wanted so much to wear a rose in my hair at the +Mayor's party to-night, and am quite unhappy because none are to be +found anywhere in Waldhofen. Of course it is late in the season."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The gardener has roses in the hothouse," remarked Antonie in the +sleepy manner which was such a sharp contrast to her vivacious friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">The latter shook her head laughingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are doubtless for the Duchess' use, and we poor mortals dare not +venture to ask for one. What's the use? I must deny myself that +pleasure---- But to return to the dress question. You are quite +superfluous in this, Herr von Eschenhagen. You do not understand a +thing about it and must be bored to death, but in spite of it you do +not waver nor move; besides, what is there so remarkable about me that +you look at me so constantly?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded very ungracious. Willy started, for the last reproach +was well founded. He had been meditating upon how a fresh, half-open +rose would look in the dark, curly locks, and, of course, had to +subject the curls and the head belonging to them to a minute +observation, which his fiancée had passed unnoticed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Willy, go," she now said good-naturedly. "You must really feel +bored over our dress affairs, and I have much to talk over yet with +Marietta."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just as you wish, dear Toni," returned the young lord; "but may I not +come back?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, as soon as you wish."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald left the room, not in the least remembering that he was +deserting his post. He was thinking of something quite different as he +stood for a few moments in the little ante-room. In consequence of this +meditation he finally descended the stairs and turned his steps +straight to the house of the castle gardener.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had scarcely left when Marietta sprang up and exclaimed with comic +vehemence: "Gracious heavens! what a tiresome couple you are!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Marietta----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, whether you are offended or not, I declare it is a sacrifice to +friendship to stand it in your presence, and I had anticipated such a +jolly time when I heard you were engaged. You were never particularly +lively, but your betrothed seems to have lost his speech entirely. How +did you manage to become engaged? Did he actually speak then, or did +his mamma attend to that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stop your foolishness," replied Antonie, displeased. "Willy is only so +silent in your presence. He can be quite entertaining when we are +alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, over the new threshing machine he has bought. When I came I +listened a moment before I entered. He was singing the praise of the +before-mentioned threshing machine, and you were listening attentively. +Oh, you will reign as a model couple, but--may heaven protect me in +mercy from such a marriageable blessing!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are very naughty. Marietta," said the young Baroness, now really +angry, but her mischievous little friend instantly clung to her neck.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't be mad, Toni. I do not mean any harm, and wish you happiness +with all my heart, but you see my husband has to be of a different +nature."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, and how, pray?" asked Toni, half pouting, half reconciled by the +coaxing plea.</p> + +<p class="normal">"First, he has to be under my command, and not under his mother's. +Second, he must be a genuine man in whose protection I feel safe. He +need not talk much--I do that--but he must love me so much--so much +that he will not talk about papa or mamma, or his estates, or the new +threshing machine, but let them all go if only he has--me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Toni shrugged her shoulders with compassionate superiority.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have very childish views at times, Marietta--but now let us talk +about the dresses."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, we will, before your elect returns and posts himself at our side +like a guard. He has a remarkable talent for mounting guard. Now, you +wear with the blue silk----"</p> + +<p class="normal">The pending question was not destined to receive a solution this time, +either, for the door opened and Frau von Eschenhagen entered, calling +for Antonie, whose presence was desired elsewhere.</p> + +<p class="normal">Antonie arose obediently and left the room. Frau Regine made no effort +to follow her, but took her vacant seat at the window instead.</p> + +<p class="normal">The reigning mistress of Burgsdorf was not diplomatically inclined like +her brother; she had to interfere everywhere with force. She had become +impatient, for Willy had as good as reported nothing. He grew red and +stammered every time he should have repeated what the "theatre +princess" had said and done, and his mother, who would not believe in a +harmless girls' chat, concluded to take the affair in her own hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">Marietta had dutifully risen at the entrance of the older lady, whom +she had scarcely seen at the first visit, and whose hostile bearing she +had not observed in the joy of the first meeting. She only thought that +Toni's future mother-in-law had little friendliness about her, but +troubled herself no further about the severe lady who was now measuring +her from head to foot, with the stern mien of a judge.</p> + +<p class="normal">In point of fact this Marietta looked just like other young girls, but +she was pretty--very pretty, which was that much worse. She wore her +hair in short curls--that was improper; other bad attributes would +doubtless make their appearance in the conversation which was now +begun.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a friend of the fiancée of my son?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, gracious lady," was the unembarrassed rejoinder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A friendship which dates from childhood, as you were raised in the +house of Dr. Volkmar?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; I lost my parents very early."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite right; my brother-in-law told me so. And to what calling did +your father belong?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He was a physician like my grandpapa," replied Marietta, more amused +than surprised at this examination, the object of which she did not +guess. "My mother was also the daughter of a physician--a whole medical +family, is it not? Only I have taken a different course."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Alas, yes," said Frau von Eschenhagen with emphasis.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl looked at her with surprise. Was that a jest? The mien +of the lady was not at all mirthful, though, as she continued: "You +will admit, my child, that if one has the good fortune to come from an +honorable and respected family, one ought to show oneself worthy of it. +You ought to have chosen your vocation accordingly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mon Dieu! but I could not study medicine like my father and +grandfather," exclaimed Marietta, breaking into an amused laugh. The +affair gave her endless fun, but the remark displeased her stern judge, +who replied with considerable sharpness:</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are, God be thanked, plenty of proper vocations for a young +girl. You are a singer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, gracious lady, at the Court Theatre."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it. Are you disposed to accept a dismissal?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The question was put so suddenly, in such a domineering tone, that +Marietta involuntarily retreated.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was still of the opinion that the lord of Burgsdorf, with his +obstinate silence and stormy leave-taking, was not quite sane, and now +she was struck by the thought that it might be a family failing which +he had inherited from his mother, for it was very apparent that +everything was not quite right with her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A dismissal?" she repeated. "But why?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For the sake of morality. I am willing to offer you a helping hand. +Turn aside from this path of frivolity and I pledge myself to find a +place as companion for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Now at last the young singer comprehended the object of the +conversation. Half angrily and half scornfully she tossed back the +little, curly head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must thank you for it, but I love my work and cannot think of +exchanging it for a dependent position. I am not fit, anyway, for an +upper maid."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have expected this answer," said Frau von Eschenhagen with a grim +nod of the head, "but I consider it my duty to once more appeal to your +conscience. You are still very young and are therefore not responsible +to a great extent for it; the heaviest reproach falls on Doctor +Volkmar, who allowed the daughter of his son to accept such a calling."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gracious lady, I must beg you to leave my grandfather entirely out of +the question," cried Marietta indignantly. "You are Toni's future +mother-in-law--otherwise I should not have stood this examination--but +I will not suffer an insult to my grandfather from anybody on the +earth."</p> + +<p class="normal">In their excitement the two ladies had not noticed that the door +leading to the ante-room had opened quietly, and that Willibald had +appeared. He was much surprised when he saw his mother, and hastily +thrust in his pocket something that he carried carefully wrapped in +paper, but he remained standing in the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not intend to argue with you," said Frau von Eschenhagen in lofty +tones, "but since I am Toni's future mother-in-law, I have the right to +warn her of a friendship which does not seem proper to me. Pray do not +misunderstand me. I am not haughty. The granddaughter of Dr. Volkmar +would be quite welcome to a continuance of friendship, but a lady from +a theatre probably has all of her connections in theatrical circles, +and here at Furstenstein---- I hope you understand me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, yes, I understand you, gracious lady," cried Marietta, whose face +was suddenly suffused by a deep blush. "You do not need to say anything +more. I ask but for one more word. Is Herr von Schonan--is Antonie--of +the same opinion as yourself?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Chiefly so as to the matter of it, but, of course, they do not +wish--with explanations--to----" A very graphic shrug finished the +sentence.</p> + +<p class="normal">The otherwise just and truth-loving woman did not even feel that she +was plainly telling an untruth. So taken up with her idea was she that +she was firmly convinced that the Chief Forester kept up the +intercourse only through a spirit of spite, and Antonie through her +good nature, although it must be uncomfortable to them, and she was +firmly decided to bring this thing to an end.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">But something unexpected happened now. Willibald, who still stood upon +the threshold, advanced into the room and exclaimed, half entreatingly, +half reproachfully: "But, mamma!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it you, Willy? What do you want here?" demanded Frau von +Eschenhagen, noticing him for the first time, and to whom the +interruption was very unwelcome.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald saw very well that his mother was very ungraciously inclined, +and was accustomed always to retreat when he found her in that mood, +but today, with unusual courage, he remained. He drew nearer and +repeated, "But, mamma, I beg of you--Toni has never thought of Fraulein +Volkmar's----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"How dare you! do you wish to accuse me of an untruth?" the angered +mother flamed. "What is it to you that I speak with Fraulein Volkmar? +Your fiancée is not here--you see that--therefore leave us!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord grew darkly red at this tone, to which he was +accustomed; he seemed to feel shame at the treatment because of the +young girl, and looked as if he would offer some resistance, but at a +threatening, "Well, did you not hear?" the old habit conquered. He +turned hesitatingly and actually left the room, but the door remained +slightly ajar.</p> + +<p class="normal">Marietta looked after him with scornfully curled lips, then turned to +her opponent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You may rest assured, gracious lady, that I have come to Furstenstein +for the last time. As the Chief Forester received me with his usual +cordiality, and Antonie with the old affection, I did not comprehend +that I now bear a stain in their eyes. I certainly would not have made +myself troublesome otherwise. It shall not happen again--no, never!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Her voice faltered; with effort she suppressed the tears, but they +trembled bitterly and plaintively around the little mouth, and Frau von +Eschenhagen felt that she had gone too far in her management of the +case.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not wish to offend you," she said soothingly. "I only intended +to make clear to you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You did not wish to offend me and yet tell me such things," +interrupted the young girl in an outburst of anger. "You treat me like +an outcast, who should not dare to approach decent circles, because I +earn my living, and give pleasure to mankind with a gift which God has +given me. You abuse my good, dear old grandfather, who has made such +painful sacrifices for my education, who has let me go into the world +with such a heavy heart. Bitter tears stood in his eyes when he drew +me once more into his arms at parting and said: 'Remain good, my +Marietta--one can be good in every position. I can leave you nothing. +If I should close my eyes in death to-day or to-morrow you would have +to struggle for yourself.' And I have remained good, and I will remain +good, even if it is not made easy for me as it is for Toni, who is the +daughter of a rich father, and only leaves her paternal home to go to +the home of her husband. But I do not envy her the good fortune of +calling you mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fraulein Volkmar, you forget yourself," cried Regine, highly offended, +rising to her fullest height; but Marietta was not intimidated, she +only grew more excited.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, no; it is not I who forget myself. You are the one--you who +insult me without cause, and I know that the Chief Forester and Antonie +are under your influence if they turn from me. Nevertheless, I do not +want any kindness nor friendship which cannot stand more firmly, +and I am done with a friend who gives me up at the request of her +mother-in-law--done with her once for all. Tell her so, Frau von +Eschenhagen."</p> + +<p class="normal">She turned and left the room with a stormy gesture, but in the +ante-room the carefully preserved composure gave way; pain overcame +anger, and the bravely suppressed tears burst forth hotly. The young +girl leaned her head against the wall in passionate, bitter sobbing +over the insult.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hearing her name called in a low, timid voice, she looked up and saw +Willibald von Eschenhagen standing before her, holding out the paper +which he had dropped so hastily into his pocket. It was folded back +now, and disclosed a rose branch, bearing a wonderfully beautiful and +fragrant blossom with two half-open buds.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fraulein Volkmar," he repeated, stammering, "you wished a rose--please +accept----"</p> + +<p class="normal">Mute apology for his mother's rudeness could be plainly seen in his +eyes and his whole bearing. Marietta suppressed her sobs, but the tears +still glistened in the dark eyes, which looked at him with an +inexpressibly contemptuous expression.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen," she replied sharply. "You have +probably heard what has been said in there and have also probably +received a command to shun me. Why do you not obey?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My mother has done you wrong," Willibald said half aloud, "and she +also spoke without the knowledge of the others. Toni does not know +anything about it, believe me----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you knew that and did not offer a word of contradiction!" the girl +interrupted, scarlet with anger. "You listened to your mother insulting +and offending a defenseless girl and did not have chivalry enough to +oppose it! Oh, yes, you tried it, but were scolded and sent off like a +schoolboy and--bore it meekly!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald stood there as if thunderstruck. He had, indeed, felt the +injustice of his mother deeply, and wished to make it good to the best +of his ability, and now he was treated like this! He stared at Marietta +in deep perplexity, while she only grew angrier at his silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now you come and bring me flowers," she continued, with increasing +passion, "secretly--behind your mother's back, and think that I will +accept such an apology! You would better learn first how a <i>man</i> +deports himself when he is witness to such injustice. But now--now I +will show you what I think of your present and of you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She tore the paper with its contents out of his hand, threw it on the +ground, and in the next second her little foot stamped upon the +fragrant blossoms.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My, Fraulein----" Willibald wavered between shame and indignation, but +a stern glance from the hitherto saucy eyes silenced him, and the poor +roses were finished by a push from the small foot.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So--now we are at the end. If Toni really knows nothing of this affair +I shall be sorry, but in spite of it I must remain away in the future, +for I will not expose myself to fresh insults. May she be happy. I +could not be in her place. I am a poor girl, but I would not accept a +man who is still afraid of his mother's switch--no, not if he were ten +times lord of Burgsdorf!"</p> + +<p class="normal">With which she disappeared, and left the poor lord standing alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Willy, what does this mean?" demanded the voice of Frau von +Eschenhagen, who appeared in the door. As no reply came, she approached +her son with threatening mien.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was certainly a strange scene which I had to look upon. Will you be +so good as to explain what it really meant? That little thing actually +glared with anger and said the most impertinent things to your face, +and you stood there like a sheep, without defending yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because she was right," murmured Willibald, still looking at the +roses.</p> + +<p class="normal">"She was what?" demanded the mother, who could not believe that she had +heard aright.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord raised his head and looked at her. He had a peculiar +expression on his face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"She was right, I say, mamma. It is true, you have treated me like a +schoolboy. I ought not to have submitted to it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Boy, I believe you are not in your senses," said Frau Regine, but +Willibald started in irritation:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am no boy. I am lord of Burgsdorf and twenty-seven years old. You +forget that always, mamma, and I have forgotten it always--but now I +recall it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen looked with boundless astonishment at her hitherto +obedient son, who was now suddenly making resistance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I actually believe you would like to be rebellious, my boy. Do not +try; you know I will not permit it. What possesses you suddenly to be +so arbitrary? While I try to end a highly improper intercourse and put +aside this Marietta, you go and, behind my back, actually offer an +apology for it--even offer her the roses which you had intended for +your betrothed. Although I do not know how you came to do it, it is the +first time in your life--but Toni will not thank you for it. It served +you right that the little witch crushed them. You will leave such +foolishness alone in the future."</p> + +<p class="normal">She scolded him in the usual tone without taking any notice of his +rebellion, but Willibald took it wrongly this time. He who had but ten +minutes before hidden the flowers in his pocket with fear now had a +touch of heroism. Instead of leaving his mother in her belief and +hushing the dangerous storm, he positively challenged it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The roses were not destined for Toni at all, but for Fraulein +Volkmar," he explained defiantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For----" the word choked the terror-stricken woman.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Marietta Volkmar! She wanted to wear a rose in her hair to-night, +and since there were none to be had in Waldhofen, I went to the castle +gardener and got those flowers. Now you know it all, mamma."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen stood there like a pillar of salt. She had turned +ashy pale, for suddenly a light had dawned upon her, but it showed her +something so awful that she lost both speech and motion for a while.</p> + +<p class="normal">But her old fire returned. She grasped her son's arm as if she meant to +have him in any case and said curtly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Willy--we leave to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave!" he repeated. "For where?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Home. We depart to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock, so that we can catch +the fast train and arrive at Burgsdorf the day after to-morrow. Go +immediately to your room and pack."</p> + +<p class="normal">But the commanding tone made no impression whatever on Willy this time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall not pack," he declared sullenly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You shall pack. I command you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," defied the young lord. "If you want to leave so badly, mamma, you +can leave--I remain here."</p> + +<p class="normal">This was unheard of, but it dispelled the last doubt and the energetic +woman, who still held her son in her grasp, now shook him fiercely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Boy, wake up! Come to your senses! I believe you do not know what is +the matter with you. I will tell you then. You are in love--in love +with this Marietta Volkmar."</p> + +<p class="normal">She threw the last words at him with annihilating emphasis, but +Willibald was not in the least annihilated. He stood quite still from +surprise for a moment. He had not thought of that, but now it began to +dawn upon him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh," he said with a deep sigh, and something like a smile flitted over +his features.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Oh!' is that your whole answer?" burst forth the enraged mother, who +had hoped for a denial. "You do not even deny it? And I have to live to +see that in my own son whom I have raised--who has never been allowed +to leave my side! While I put you there as a guard during those +previous visits to your fiancée she bewitches you--that is plain--and +even plays the virtuous, deeply offended one before you--this----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma, stop; I cannot allow it," interrupted Willibald, irritated +beyond silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot allow it? What does it mean----" Frau von Eschenhagen +suddenly paused and looked toward the door, listening. "Toni is +returning, there--your betrothed, to whom you have pledged your word, +who wears your ring. How will you account to her?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She had finally struck the right chord. The young lord started at this +thought and bowed his head mutely when Antonie entered, quite +unconcerned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have returned already, Willy?" she asked. "I thought--but what is +it? Has anything happened?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," answered Frau Regine, grasping the reins, as usual, decisively. +"We have just received a communication from Burgsdorf which forces us +to depart to-morrow morning. You need not be frightened, my child, it +is nothing dangerous--only a foolishness"--she laid sharp emphasis on +the word--"a foolishness which has been committed, but which will be +removed just as speedily by quick interference. I will tell you all +about it later, but for the present nothing can be done but by our +departure."</p> + +<p class="normal">Curiosity was not one of Antonie's faults, and even this quite +unexpected news was not able to ruffle her composure. The statement +that nothing serious was concerned satisfied her entirely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must Willy leave also?" she asked without particular enthusiasm. +"Cannot he at least remain?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Answer your fiancée yourself, Willy," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +fixing her sharp, gray eyes upon her son. "You know best what the +circumstances are. Can you really consent to stay here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A short pause. Willibald's glance met his mother's; then he turned away +and said in a suppressed voice, "No, Toni, I must go home--nothing else +is possible."</p> + +<p class="normal">Toni accepted the decision, which would have pained another girl +deeply, with moderate regret, and began to inquire directly where the +travelers would dine to-morrow, since the fast train had no stoppage +anywhere. This seemed to grieve her as much as the separation, but she +finally concluded that it would be best for them to take a lunch along +to eat on the train.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen felt triumphant when she went to her +brother-in-law to notify him of their departure, for which she had +already found a pretext.</p> + +<p class="normal">Many a thing could happen on the large estates to afford an +explanation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Naturally, the Chief Forester must not learn the truth any more than +his daughter, although he had caused the whole trouble in his +blindness.</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine did not doubt in the least that as soon as she removed her Willy +from the fascinating circle of this "witch" he would return to reason. +Had he not shown it just now?</p> + +<p class="normal">She would not see that honor toward his betrothed alone had conquered, +and that it had been a terrible mistake to expose his feelings to +another.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wait, my boy," she muttered grimly. "I will teach you to commence such +things, and to rebel against your mother. When once I have you at +Burgsdorf, may God have mercy on you!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">On the appointed day the Duke, with the Duchess and a numerous suite, +arrived at Furstenstein, and the life full of splendor which had been +led in former times began again in the wide, beautiful hunting grounds +of the Wald.</p> + +<p class="normal">The present sovereign was no ardent huntsman, and the hunting lodge of +his ancestors had stood deserted for years, or was occupied only at +long intervals for a brief visit. Now, when a prolonged stay was +anticipated, the spacious castle scarce afforded room enough for the +guests; a part of them were quartered in neighboring Waldhofen, which +made the little town, as well as the entire vicinity, very festive in +joyful excitement.</p> + +<p class="normal">The owners of the neighboring castles and villas, who, like Prince +Adelsberg, belonged to the best families of the land, were induced by +the arrival of the Court to take up their fall quarters there, too. +Nearly everybody had brought numerous guests, and so an unusual life +and bustle developed in the silent Wald, the centre of which activity +being, of course, Furstenstein.</p> + +<p class="normal">The castle shone to-night in fullest splendor; every window of the +upper floor was lighted, and in the court torches threw their red light +upon the walls and towers gray with age.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was the occasion of the first large fête since the arrival of the +princely family, to which were asked all the nobility of the +neighborhood, the higher officials of the district, and, in short, +everybody who had any claim upon their sovereign's notice.</p> + +<p class="normal">The castle, which was built in a grand style, contained a number of +gorgeous rooms of state, which, with their old-fashioned but costly +furnishings, and the brilliant company moving through them, afforded a +decidedly splendid spectacle.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife of the Prussian Ambassador was a new star among the +ladies present. Mourning for her father, who had died shortly after her +marriage, had kept her from all festivities, and she entered to-day for +the first time this brilliant circle, where the position of her husband +assured her a prominent place, and where she was being treated by the +Duke and Duchess with noticeable distinction.</p> + +<p class="normal">The rising of this new star was noticed by the ladies, of course, with +some displeasure. They found Frau von Wallmoden very haughty in her +cool composure, and that she had very little occasion for such bearing; +for, of course, they all knew that she was a born burgher, who did not +properly belong in this circle, even if her father's wealth and his +prominent position with the industries of the country gave her a +certain distinction. Nevertheless, she moved upon the foreign soil with +a strange ease--the husband must have schooled her well for this first +appearance.</p> + +<p class="normal">The gentlemen were of a different opinion. They found that His +Excellency the Ambassador had proved his talent most strikingly in his +own cause. He who already stood upon the border of old age had +understood how to gain, with the hand of this young, beautiful wife, a +fortune extensive enough in itself, but magnified by rumor into the +immeasurable. For this he was envied on all sides.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden did not seem at all surprised at the impression which the +beauty and stateliness of his wife too apparently caused, but accepted +it as something natural. He had expected nothing else; the contrary +would have surprised him in the highest degree.</p> + +<p class="normal">At present he was standing in a window recess with his brother-in-law, +the Chief Forester, and after exchanging a few indifferent remarks +about the fête and the guests, he asked casually: "What sort of person +is that whom Prince Adelsberg has introduced? Do you know him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mean the young Roumanian?" said Schonan. "No; I see him to-day for +the first time, but have heard of him before. He is the bosom friend of +the Prince, whom he accompanied upon his Eastern travels, and a young +man handsome as a picture--his eyes positively sparkle with fire."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He impresses me as an adventurer," remarked Wallmoden coldly. "How +does he happen to have an invitation? Has he been presented to the +Duke?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, at Rodeck, if I am not mistaken; the Duke was there recently. +Prince Adelsberg loves to throw etiquette aside as much as possible. +But this invitation to-day signifies no acceptance, since everybody has +been asked."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Ambassador shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless, one should hesitate about bringing such elements near +one before they come well recommended."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Everything must be certified to with letter and seal with you +diplomats," laughed the Chief. "This Rojanow has certainly something +aristocratic about him, and one is never so strict, anyway, with a +foreigner. I can well understand that our sovereigns like to hear and +see something different from the usual court circle, which presents the +same old tiresome face from year to year. The Duke appears to be quite +captivated already with the Roumanian."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, it seems so," muttered Wallmoden, upon whose brow a cloud +gathered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But why should this concern us?" remarked Schonan. "I will go now and +look for Toni, who has to appear now everywhere without her betrothed. +That was another notion of Regine's. She departed from us with her son +like a skyrocket. Your sister cannot be detained as soon as the beloved +Burgsdorf is brought into question. If she had only left Willy with us! +Everybody wonders that my future son-in-law should take his departure +before the fête. I cannot understand it at all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A stroke of good fortune that they are gone," thought Wallmoden, as +his brother-in-law left him. "If Willibald had met his former friend +and playmate here unexpectedly another scene similar to that upon the +Hochberg might have occurred. But who would have thought that Hartmut +would carry his defiance so far as to appear in a circle where he was +sure to meet the Ambassador?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince Adelsberg, who held in this circle one of the highest positions +through his name and relationship to the reigning house, had, indeed, +succeeded with the presentation of his friend, and the Duke seemed to +have had a very favorable opinion of him from the first meeting at +Rodeck, for he now himself presented this young stranger to the +Duchess.</p> + +<p class="normal">This Rojanow, with the captivating charm of his personality and the +foreign air which surrounded him, was, indeed, an extraordinary person, +who had only to appear to cause general observation.</p> + +<p class="normal">To-day he displayed lavishly all the brilliant attributes which were at +his command. His conversation sparkled with life and spirit, his fiery +temperament, which betrayed itself involuntarily, gave to everything he +said and did a peculiar charm, while he proved himself in every respect +master of society forms and customs. In short, the prophecy of the +Prince was fulfilled.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut knew how to conquer everybody here by storm, and had hardly put +his foot upon the soil when he reigned there by the power of his +magnetism.</p> + +<p class="normal">This could not pass unnoticed by the Ambassador, even if he did not +come into direct contact with the Roumanian. It was not difficult to +evade each other in the throng of guests, and a meeting was not desired +on either side.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden walked through a side room, where the Duke's sister, the +Princess Sophie, had gathered a large circle around her.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Princess, who had married the younger son of a princely house, had +very early become a widow, and had lived since then at the court of her +brother, where she was not in the least popular. While the Duchess +charmed everybody who came into her presence by her grace and kindness, +the older sister was considered haughty and <i>intriguante</i>. Everybody +stood in fear of the lady's sharp tongue, which had a habit of saying +something disagreeable to each and every one.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Wallmoden did not escape this fate. He was graciously beckoned +to and received flatteries on the beauty of his wife, which was not to +be denied.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I offer you my congratulations, Your Excellency. I was quite surprised +when your young wife was presented to me, for I had naturally expected +to see an elderly lady."</p> + +<p class="normal">The "naturally" sounded very malicious, for Princess Sophie had known +for months that the wife of the Prussian Ambassador was only nineteen +years old, but he smiled in the most amiable way as he replied: "Your +Highness is very gracious. I can only be grateful that my wife has had +the good fortune to make a favorable impression upon you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, you cannot doubt it. The Duke and Duchess are quite of my opinion. +Frau von Wallmoden is really a beauty--Prince Adelsberg seems to think +so, too. Perhaps you have not observed as yet how very much he admires +your wife?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Your Highness, I have observed it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really? And what do you say to it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I?" inquired Wallmoden with perfect tranquillity. "It rests solely +with my wife as to whether she will permit the admiration of the +Prince. If she finds pleasure in it---- I do not give her any rules in +this respect."</p> + +<p class="normal">"An enviable confidence which our young gentlemen ought to pattern +after," said the Princess, vexed that the arrow had missed its aim. "It +is surely very agreeable to a young wife if the husband is not jealous. +Ah, there is Frau von Wallmoden herself, with her cavalier, of course, +at her side. My dear Baroness, we were just speaking of you."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide von Wallmoden, who had just entered in company with Prince +Adelsberg, bowed her recognition of the Princess' notice.</p> + +<p class="normal">She made, indeed, a brilliant picture to-night, for the splendid court +toilet enhanced her beauty triumphantly. The costly brocade of the +white dress, which fell to her feet in heavy folds, suited the slender +figure admirably. The pearls encircling her throat and the diamonds +which sparkled in her blond hair were perhaps the most costly of any +worn to-night; but more sharply than ever appeared the cold and serious +expression of the young wife. She did not in the least resemble others +of her age who were also married, but who claimed the right of youth to +dress in dainty laces and flowers. She possessed nothing of their +brightness--the urbane amiability which was so fully brought to view in +them. The severe, serious expression which was an inheritance from her +father, and so indelibly stamped in her nature, betrayed itself in her +character.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon kissed his exalted aunt's hand, and had been honored with a few +gracious words, but from the first, the amiable attention of Her +Highness was quite taken up by the young Baroness, who was immediately +drawn into conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was just expressing my pleasure to His Excellency that you find +yourself so quickly at home in our court circle, dear Baroness. You +enter these circles to-day for the first time, if I understand aright, +and have lived hitherto in entirely different surroundings. You were +born a----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stahlberg, Your Highness," was the calm rejoinder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite right. I remember the name, which has been spoken several times +in my presence. It is honorably known in your native town, I presume."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Most gracious aunt, you must permit me to inform you better," joined +in Prince Adelsberg, who seldom permitted an opportunity of vexing his +most gracious aunt to pass by. "The factories of Stahlberg are +world-renowned. They are as well known across the ocean as they are +here. I had an opportunity to learn all about them when I was in +Northern Germany several years ago, and I can assure you that those +works those iron foundries and factories, with their colonies of +officers and their army of workmen, can well vie with many a small +principality, whose sovereign, though, is not such an absolute ruler as +was the father of Her Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Princess cast anything but a friendly glance at her nephew; his +interference was not desired.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed! I had no idea of such magnificence," she said in her most +caustic tone. "We may, perhaps, then greet His Excellency as such a +ruler?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only as administrator, Your Highness," rejoined the Ambassador. "I am +only the executor of my father-in-law's will, and guardian of my young +brother-in-law, to whom the works will go when he attains his +majority."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, so? The son will probably know how to keep the inheritance. It is +really astonishing what the energy of a single man can do in these +days, and it is so much more praiseworthy if he, like the father of our +dear Baroness, has come from humble circles. At least I believe I have +heard so, or am I mistaken?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Princess Sophie knew very well that these remarks about the origin of +his father-in-law were unpleasant to the Ambassador, a man of old +Prussian nobility, and it caused her great satisfaction that the +surrounding circle did not lose a word of the conversation, which was +intended principally to humble the lady of burgher descent.</p> + +<p class="normal">But she was mistaken if she counted upon the Baroness falling into +embarrassment or evasion. Instead of that she drew herself up in all +her pride.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Highness is quite correctly informed. My father came to the +Capital a poor boy without means. He had to struggle hard, and worked +for years as a humble laborer, before he laid the foundation to his +later enterprises."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How proudly Frau von Wallmoden says that!" cried the Princess, +smiling. "Oh, I love this filial attachment above everything. So Herr +Stahlberg--or perhaps <i>von</i> Stahlberg?--the large manufacturers often +bear a title----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My father did not bear it, Your Highness," replied Adelaide, meeting +the glance of the royal lady calmly and openly. "A title had indeed +been offered him, but he refused it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Ambassador pressed his thin lips together. He could but find the +remark of his wife very undiplomatic. The features of the Princess +assumed an angry expression, and she returned with biting sarcasm: +"Well, then, it is a good thing that this aversion has not descended to +the daughter. His Excellency will know how to value it. I beg your +escort, Egon. I should like to look for my brother."</p> + +<p class="normal">She bowed to the circle and glided away on the arm of the Prince, whose +bearing plainly said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now comes my turn."</p> + +<p class="normal">He was not mistaken. Her Highness had no thought of finding the Duke, +but took a seat in the adjoining room with her young relative, whom she +wished to have to herself.</p> + +<p class="normal">At first her anger burst forth at the unbearably haughty Frau von +Wallmoden, who boasted of her father's burgher pride, while she had +married a Baron from vanity, for she could not possibly feel any +affection for a man old enough to be her father. Egon was silent as to +that, for he had already put the same question to himself, How had this +unequal match come to take place? without finding an answer to it; but +his silence was now an offence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Egon, have you nothing to say? But you seem to have sworn +allegiance to this lady; you have been constantly at her side."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do homage to beauty wherever I meet it; you know that, most gracious +aunt," expostulated the Prince. But alas! he only called forth another +storm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, alas! I know that. In this respect you are of incomprehensible +heedlessness. Perhaps you do not remember all my admonishings and +warnings before your departure?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, only too well," sighed Egon, who even now felt quite stifled with +the remembrance of the endless lecture which he had had to endure at +that time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really? But you have not returned any more sensible or sedate. I have +heard things---- Egon, there is only one salvation for you--you must +marry."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For heaven's sake, anything but that!" Egon started up so terrified +that Princess Sophie opened her fan indignantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean by that?" she asked in cutting tones.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, only my un worthiness to enter into that state. Your Highness +yourself have often assured me that I was particularly fitted to make a +wife <i>unhappy</i>."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If the wife does not succeed in bettering you, of course. I do not +despair yet of that. But this is not the place to speak of such things. +The Duchess is planning a visit to Rodeck, and I intend to accompany +her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a charming idea!" exclaimed Egon, who was almost as much +terrified by the proposed visit as by the thought of marriage. "I am +really proud that Rodeck, which is usually such a small, tiresome +forest nook, can just now furnish you with some curiosities. I brought +many things from my travels, among them a lion, two young tigers, +several snakes----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But not live ones?" interrupted the horrified lady.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, Your Highness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, mon Dieu! one is not sure of one's life there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, it is not so dangerous, although some of the beasts have broken +away from us already--the people are so careless at feeding time; but +they have always been secured again, and have not done any harm as +yet."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As yet? That is a charming prospect, indeed," said the Princess +angrily. "You put the whole neighborhood in danger. The Duke ought to +prohibit you such dangerous playthings."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope not, for I am just now seriously occupied in attempting to tame +some of them. But besides these I can show you many domestic things +that are worth looking at. There are several girls among my servants +from this vicinity who look charming in their peasant costumes."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon shuddered at the thought of his female servants "with wagging +heads," whom he still employed under Stadinger's careful eye, but he +had speculated correctly. His gracious aunt was indignant and measured +him with an annihilating glance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So? You have such as that at Rodeck!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly. There is Lena in particular, the granddaughter of my +steward, a charming little thing, and when you give me the honor of +your visit, most gracious aunt----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall leave it alone," interrupted the incensed lady, using her fan +violently. "It must be a peculiar household which you carry on at +Rodeck with the young foreigner whom you have, perhaps, also brought as +a curiosity from your travels. He has the face of a perfect brigand."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My friend Rojanow! He has been pining a long time to be presented to +Your Highness. You permit it, I hope?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Without waiting for an answer he hastened away and took possession of +Hartmut.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now it is your turn," he whispered, dragging him along +unceremoniously. "I have been the victim long enough, and my most +precious aunt has to have some one whom she can roast slowly. She +insists upon marrying me off-hand, and you have the face of a perfect +brigand, but, thank God! she does not come to Rodeck. I have taken care +of that!"</p> + +<p class="normal">In the next moment he stood before Her Highness, introducing his friend +with his blandest smile.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Wallmoden had lingered in the circle a few moments after the +departure of the Princess; then, with his wife on his arm, he walked +slowly through the suite of rooms, greeting an acquaintance here, +conversing briefly there, until they finally reached the last of the +reception rooms, which was rather deserted.</p> + +<p class="normal">The tower room, opening directly from this, was not generally used in +entertainments, but for tonight it had been transformed into a small, +cosy apartment with curtains and carpets and a picturesque group of +plants, and, with its dim lights, offered a pleasing contrast to the +blinding flood of light and the commotion of the other rooms.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was quite vacant now, which the Ambassador seemed to have counted +upon when he entered with his wife and offered her a seat upon a divan.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must draw your attention to the fact, Adelaide, that you did an +unwise thing just now," he began in a low tone. "Your remark to the +Princess----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was self-defense," finished the young wife. "You must have felt, as +well as I did, what the object of the conversation was."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless, at your first appearance you have made for yourself an +antagonist whose enmity can materially render your own and my position +more difficult."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yours?" Adelaide looked at him in surprise. "Are you, the Ambassador +of a great power, to ask the grace of a malicious woman who happens to +be related to a ducal family?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My child, you do not understand," returned Wallmoden coldly. "An +intriguing woman can be more dangerous than a political opponent, and +Princess Sophie is well known in that line. Even the Duchess is known +to be in fear of her malicious tongue."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is the Duchess' affair. I am not in fear of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My dear Adelaide," said the Ambassador, with a superior smile, "that +proud turn of your head is very becoming to you, and I approve entirely +of your making yourself unapproachable with it in other circles, but +you will have to leave it off at Court, as well as several other +things. One does not give royalty a lesson before so many observers, +and you did that when you spoke of the refusal of the title. In any +case, it was not necessary for you to lay so much stress upon the +descent of your father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Should I perhaps have denied it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, for it is a well-known fact."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of which I am as proud as was my father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you are not Adelaide Stahlberg any longer, but the Baroness +Wallmoden." The voice of the Ambassador had acquired a certain +sharpness. "And you will admit that it is very contradictory to boast +of your burgher pride when you have given your hand to a man of the old +nobility."</p> + +<p class="normal">A slight bitterness quivered around the lips of the young wife, and +although the conversation had been carried on in low tones, her voice +sank even lower as she returned: "Perhaps you have forgotten, Herbert, +why I gave you my hand."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you had cause to regret it?" he asked instead of replying.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said Adelaide, drawing a deep breath.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should think you could be satisfied with the position you have at my +side. Besides, you remember that I did not compel you. I left you +perfectly free choice."</p> + +<p class="normal">The wife was silent, but the bitter expression did not leave her lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden arose and offered his arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must permit me, my child, to come to your assistance sometimes in +your inexperience," he said in his usual polite tone. "So far I have +had every reason to be satisfied with your tact and manner. To-day is +the first time I have had to give you a hint. May I ask if you are +ready to return?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should like to remain here a few moments longer," said Adelaide in a +smothered voice. "It is so insufferably hot in the salons."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just as you desire, but I beg that you will not remain too long, as +your absence would cause remark."</p> + +<p class="normal">He saw and felt that she was offended, but found it expedient not to +notice it. Baron Wallmoden, in spite of all his politeness and +attention, understood that in the training of his wife such kinds of +sentiment must not be encouraged. He left the room, and Adelaide +remained alone. She leaned her head upon her hand, and with unseeing +eyes stared at the group of plants near her, whispering almost +inaudibly: "Free choice--O, my God!"</p> + +<p style="text-align:center; letter-spacing:20px">* * * * *</p> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime Prince Adelsberg and his friend were being most +graciously dismissed. They bowed low before the Princess, who arose and +left the salon with an unusually mild expression on her sharp features.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut, I believe you can magnetize," said Egon under his breath. "I +have seen many examples of your irresistibility, but that my most +gracious aunt has a regular attack of affability in your presence is +something never heard of before. It puts all your other victories into +the shade."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, the reception was cool enough," laughed Hartmut. "Her Highness +really seemed to take me for a brigand at first."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But in ten minutes you stood in the full sunshine of her grace, and +have been dismissed a prime favorite. Do tell me what you have in you +that everybody, without exception, bows to your charm. One might well +believe in the old fairy tale of the rat-catcher."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again the harsh, repulsive sarcasm which took for a moment every beauty +from his face, passed over Hartmut's lips, giving him a satanic +expression.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I understand how to play the thing they like best to hear. It has a +different sound to every one, but if one knows how to strike the right +chord, none can resist it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"None?" repeated Egon, while his glance passed searchingly through the +room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not one, I tell you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you are a pessimist in this respect. I at least recognize some +exceptions. If I only knew where Frau von Wallmoden was. I cannot see +her anywhere."</p> + +<p class="normal">"His Excellency is probably reading her a lecture upon the undiplomatic +remark of a short time since."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did you also hear it?" asked Egon quickly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; I stood in the door."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I do not in the least begrudge our most gracious one the lesson. +Naturally she was beside herself about it, but do you really believe +that the Ambassador---- Hush! there he is himself."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was, indeed, the Ambassador before them, just returning from the +tower room. An encounter now could not be avoided, and the young +Prince, who had no idea of the existing connection, hastened to +introduce his friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Allow me, Your Excellency, to make good a neglect which was forced +upon me that day upon the Hochberg by the disappearance of my friend. I +only found him after your departure. Herr Hartmut Rojanow, Baron von +Wallmoden."</p> + +<p class="normal">The eyes of the two men met. The sharp, penetrating eyes of the one met +the expression of challenging defiance in the other, but Wallmoden +would not have been the finished diplomat he was if he were not equal +to the present moment.</p> + +<p class="normal">His greeting was cool but polite, only he turned to the Prince alone +with his answer, regretting not being able to chat with the gentlemen, +since he was called to the Duke.</p> + +<p class="normal">The whole meeting had lasted but two minutes, but it had taken place.</p> + +<p class="normal">"His Excellency is more taciturn to-day than usual," remarked Egon, +walking on. "Whenever I see this cold, diplomatic face before me I have +a chill, and feel a pressing desire to seek warmer zones."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Therefore we follow so persistently the track of the beautiful, cold +aurora," said Hartmut, teasingly. "Whom do we really seek in this walk +through the rooms which you continue so untiringly?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Chief Forester," said the Prince, vexed at seeing himself +betrayed. "I wish to make you acquainted with him, but you are in one +of your railing moods to-day. Perhaps I may find Schonan over yonder in +the armory. I shall look there."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took a speedy departure, and actually turned his steps to the +armory, where the ducal couple was at present, and where he also +believed Adelaide von Wallmoden to be. But, unfortunately, at the +entrance he again crossed the path of his most gracious aunt, who took +possession of him. She wished for more particulars of the interesting +young Roumanian who stood, indeed, in the sunlight of her favor, and +her impatient nephew had to answer all her questions willingly or +otherwise.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The fête progressed; the assembly glided to and fro as Hartmut walked +slowly and apparently purposelessly through the long suite of reception +rooms. He, too, looked for some one, and was more successful than Egon. +A hasty glance into the tower room, the entrance of which was partly +concealed by heavy portières, showed him the hem of a white train which +floated over the floor, and the next moment he had crossed the +threshold.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide von Wallmoden was still sitting in the same position, and +slowly turned her head toward the intruder. Suddenly she started, but +only for an instant, then with her habitual composure she returned the +deep bow of the young man who remained standing at the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope I have not disturbed Your Excellency," he said. "I fear you +came here for solitude into which I have broken suddenly, but it +happens quite unintentionally."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only took refuge here from the smothering heat of the salons."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The same cause brought me here, and since I did not have the honor +to-day to greet you, permit me to do so now."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded very formal. Rojanow had drawn nearer, but remained +standing at a respectable distance. Nevertheless, the start at his +entrance had not been passed by unobserved by him. A peculiar smile +hovered around his lips as he directed his eyes upon the young +Baroness.</p> + +<p class="normal">She had made a gesture as if to rise and leave the room, but seemed to +remember in time that so sudden a move would look like flight. She +remained seated and leaned over the plants. Absently she picked one of +the large crimson japonicas as she replied to the question about her +health, but that line of severe will-power appeared again, sharply and +distinctly, just as in that moment when she stood in the middle of the +brook. That day she had stepped without hesitation into ankle-deep +water rather than accept the help which was offered her; but that had +occurred in the forest loneliness. No such obstacle had to be overcome +here in the ducal castle, filled with the pomp of a fête; but the man +with the dark, consuming glance was here, and he did not remove his +eyes from her face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shall you remain at Rodeck any length of time?" asked Adelaide in the +indifferent tone with which remarks are exchanged in society.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Probably a few weeks longer. Prince Adelsberg will hardly leave his +castle as long as the Duke is at Furstenstein. I intend to accompany +him to the Residenz later on."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And we shall then learn to know you as a poet?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Me, Your Excellency?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I learned so from the Prince."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, that is only Egon's idea," said Hartmut, lightly. "He has settled +it in his mind that he must see my Arivana upon the stage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arivana! A strange title."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is an Oriental name for an Indian legend, whose poetical charm had +prepossessed me so strangely that I could not resist the temptation to +form it into a drama."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the heroine of the drama is Arivana?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; that is only the name of an ancient, sacred spot, around which +this legend clings. The name of the heroine is--Ada."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow uttered the name softly, hesitatingly; but his eyes flamed up +triumphantly, as he saw again the same slight quiver he had seen at his +entrance. Slowly he approached a few steps, continuing: "I heard the +name for the first time upon India's soil, and it had a sweet foreign +sound for me, which I retained for my heroine, and now I learn here +that the abbreviation of a German name is just like it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of the name Adelaide--yes. I was always called so at home; but it is +nothing peculiar that the same sounds return in different languages."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded repellent, but the young wife did not lift her eyes; +she gazed fixedly upon the flower with which her fingers toyed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly not," assented Hartmut; "I only noticed it. It was no +surprise, since all legends are repeated in all nations. They have a +greater or less difference in appearance, but that which lives in +them--the passion, the happiness and joy of the people--that is the +same everywhere."</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide shrugged her shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot argue about that with a poet, but I do believe that our +German legends possess other features than the Indian dreams of myths."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps so, but if you look deeper you will find these features +familiar. This Arivana myth, at least, has similar lines. The hero, a +young priest who has consecrated body and soul to his deity--the +sacred, burning fire--is overwhelmed by earthly love, with all its +fervor and passion, until his priestly vow perishes in its intensity."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood quietly and respectfully before her, but his voice had a +strangely suppressed sound, as if, hidden behind this narrative, there +was another and secret meaning.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly the Baroness raised her eyes and directed them fully and +seriously upon the face of the speaker. "And--the end?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The end is death, as in most mystic legends. The breaking of the vow +is discovered, and the guilty ones are sacrificed to the offended +deity; the priest dies in the flames with the woman he loves."</p> + +<p class="normal">A short pause followed. Adelaide arose with a rapid movement. She +apparently wished to break off the conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right; this legend has something familiar, if it were only the +old doctrine of guilt and atonement."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you call that guilt, gracious lady?" Hartmut suddenly dropped the +formal title. "Well, yes, by man it is called guilt, and they too +punish it with death, without thinking that such punishment can be +ecstasy. To perish in the flames after having tasted of the highest +earthly happiness, and to embrace this happiness even in death--that is +a glorious, divine death, worthy a long life of dull monotony. The +eternal, undying right of love glows there like signs of flame in the +sky, in spite of all laws of mankind. Do you not think such an end +enviable?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A slight paleness covered the face of the Baroness, but her voice was +firm as she answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; enviable only is death for an exalted, holy duty--the sacrifice of +a pure life. One can forgive sin, but one does not admire it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut bit his lips, and a threatening glance rested on the white +figure which stood so solemn and unapproachable before him. Then he +smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A hard judgment, which strikes my work also, for I have put my whole +power into the glorification of this love and death. If the world judge +like you---- Ah, permit me, gracious lady."</p> + +<p class="normal">He quickly approached the divan where she had been sitting, where, with +her fan, the japonica also had been left.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you," said Adelaide, stretching out her hand; but he gave her +only the fan.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your pardon. While I was composing my Arivana on the veranda of a +small house in India, this flower bloomed and glowed from its dark +green foliage everywhere, and now it greets me here in the cold North. +May I keep this flower?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide made a half reluctant gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, why should you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why should I? For a remembrance of the severe opinion from the lips of +a lady who bears the lovely name of my mystic heroine. You see, +gracious lady, that the white japonica blooms here also, delicate, +snowy flower; but unconsciously you broke the glowing red one, and +poets are superstitious. Leave me the flower as a token that my work, +in spite of all, may find favor in your eyes after you learn to know +it. You have no idea how much it means to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Rojanow--I----" She was about to utter a refusal, but he +interrupted her, and continued in low, but passionate, tones:</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is a single flower to you, broken carelessly, and which you will +allow to fade as carelessly? But to me leave me this token, gracious +lady; I--I beg for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood close beside her. The charm which he, as a boy, had +unconsciously exerted when he made people "defenseless" with his +coaxing, he, as a man, recognized as a power which never failed, and +which he knew how to use. His voice bore again that soft, suppressed +tone which charmed the ear like music; and his eyes--those dark, +mysterious eyes--were fixed upon the girl before him with a half +gloomy, half beseeching expression.</p> + +<p class="normal">The paleness of her face had deepened, but she did not answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg of you," he repeated, more lowly, more beseechingly, as he +pressed the glowing flower to his lips; but the very gesture broke the +spell. Adelaide suddenly drew herself up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must ask you, Herr Rojanow, to return the flower to me. I intended +it for my husband."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, so? I beg your pardon, Your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">He handed her the flower with a deep bow, which she accepted with a +barely noticeable inclination of the head. Then the heavy white train +glided past him, and he was alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">In vain! Everything glided off this icy nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut stamped his foot angrily. Only ten minutes ago he had passed +such harsh judgment on all women, without an exception, to the Prince. +Now he had sung again that charming tune which he had tried so often +successfully, and had found one who resisted it. But the proud, spoiled +man would not believe that he could lose the game which he had won so +often, when just here he was so anxious to win it.</p> + +<p class="normal">And would it really remain only a game? He had not as yet accounted to +himself for it, but he felt that the passion which drew him to the +beautiful woman was mingled at times with hatred.</p> + +<p class="normal">They were conflicting emotions which had been deeply stirred when he +walked by her side through the forest--half admiring, half repellent. +But it was just that which made the chase so interesting to the +practised huntsman.</p> + +<p class="normal">Love! The high, pure meaning of the word had remained foreign to the +son of Zalika. When he learned to feel, he was living at his mother's +side, she who had made such shameful play of her husband's love; and +the women with whom she associated were no better. The later life which +she led with her son, unsettled and adventurous, with no firm ground +under their feet, had finally crushed out the last remnant of idealism +in the young man. He learned to despise before he learned to love, and +now he felt the merited humiliation given him to be an insult.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Struggle on," he muttered; "you battle against yourself. I have seen +and felt it; and the one who does that, does not conquer in such a +struggle."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">A slight noise at the entrance caused Hartmut to look up. It was the +Ambassador who appeared on the threshold, casting a searching glance +into the room. He came for his wife, whom he thought still there.</p> + +<p class="normal">He started at sight of Hartmut, and for a moment seemed undecided. Then +he said, half audibly: "Herr Rojanow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should like to speak to you privately."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am at your service."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden entered, but took up his position so as to keep the entrance +in view. It was hardly necessary, for the doors of the dining room had +just been thrown open, and the whole assembly floated there. The salon +adjoining the tower room was already empty.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am surprised to see you here," the Ambassador began in suppressed +tones, but with the same insulting coldness which he had shown at the +first meeting, and which brought the blood to the young man's brow. He +drew himself up threateningly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, Your Excellency?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The question is superfluous. At any rate, I request you not to again +force me into the position I was brought into a short while ago, when +Prince Adelsberg introduced you to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The forced position was mine," returned Hartmut, just as sharply. "I +will not assert that you consider me an intruder here, for you, best of +all, know that I have a right to this intercourse."</p> + +<p class="normal">"<i>Hartmut von Falkenried</i> would have had a right, of course; but that +has changed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr von Wallmoden!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not so loud, if you please," interrupted the Ambassador. "We might be +overheard, and it would surely not be desirable to you that the name I +just now uttered should be heard by outsiders."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is true that at present I carry my mother's name, to which I surely +have a right. If I laid aside the other, it happened out of +consideration----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For your father," finished Wallmoden, with heavy emphasis.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut started. This was an allusion which he could not bear yet.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," he replied, curtly. "I confess that it would be painful to me if +I were forced to break this consideration."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And why? Your rôle here would be played out, anyway."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow stepped close to the Ambassador with a passionate gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are the friend of my father, Herr von Wallmoden, and I have called +you uncle in my boyhood; but you forget that I am no longer the boy +whom you could lecture and master at that time. The grown man looks at +it as an insult."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I intend neither to offend you nor to renew old connections, which +neither of us consider as existing," said Wallmoden, coldly. "If I +desired this conversation, it was to declare to you that it will not be +possible to me, in my official position, to see you in intercourse with +the Court, and be silent when it would be my duty to enlighten the +Duke."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Enlighten the Duke! About what?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"About several things which are not known here and which have probably +remained unknown to Prince Adelsberg. Please do not fly into a passion, +Herr Rojanow. I would do this only in an extreme case, for I have to +spare a friend. I know how a certain incident hurt him ten years ago, +which is now forgotten and buried in our country, and, if all this +should come up again and be brought into publicity, Colonel Falkenried +would die of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut blanched. The defiant reply did not cross his lips. "He would +die of it." The awful word, the truth of which he felt only too well, +forced aside for the moment even the insult of the remark.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I owe my father alone an account of that occasion," he replied in a +painfully suppressed voice; "only him and nobody else."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will hardly ask for it. His son is dead to him; but let that rest. +I speak especially now of later years; of your stay at Rome and Paris, +where you lived with your mother in lavish style, although the estates +in Roumania had had to be sacrificed at a forced sale."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to be all-knowing, Your Excellency!" hissed Rojanow in great +anger. "We had no idea that we were under such conscientious +surveillance. We lived upon the balance of our fortune which had been +rescued from the wreck."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing was rescued; the money was entirely lost--to the last penny."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is not true," interrupted Hartmut, stormily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is true. Am I really better informed about it than you?" The voice +of the Ambassador sounded cuttingly sharp. "It is possible that Frau +Rojanow did not want her son informed of the source from which she +derived her means, and left him in error about it intentionally. I know +the circumstances. If they have remained unknown to you--so much the +better for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take care not to insult my mother," the young man burst forth; "or I +shall forget that your hair is gray, and demand satisfaction."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For what? For a statement for which I can produce the proofs? Lay +aside such foolishness, of which I shall take no notice. She was your +mother, and is dead now; therefore we will go no deeper into this +point. I should only like to put this question to you: Do you intend, +even after this conversation, to remain here and appear in the circle +into which Prince Adelsberg has introduced you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut had turned deathly pale at the hint of the muddy origin of his +mother's means, and the numb terror with which he looked at the speaker +betrayed that he indeed knew nothing about it. But at this last +question he regained his composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">His flashing eyes met those of his opponent, and a wild decision +sounded in his voice as he replied: "Yes, Herr von Wallmoden, I +remain."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Ambassador did not seem to have expected this defiance; he probably +thought to have accomplished the matter more easily, but he retained +his composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really? Well, you are accustomed to playing a high hand, and you seem +to wish here also--but hush! Some one is coming. Reconsider the matter, +perhaps you will change your mind."</p> + +<p class="normal">He quickly entered the adjoining room, in which the Chief Forester now +appeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where have you hidden yourself, Herbert?" he asked, when he beheld the +Ambassador. "I have looked everywhere for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wished to find my wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">"She is already in the dining room, like everybody else, and where you +are being missed. Come, it is high time that we get something to eat."</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Schonan took possession of his brother-in-law in his ever +jovial manner and went off with him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut stood still in his place. He struggled for breath; the +excitement threatened to choke him. Shame, hatred, anger, all floated +wildly through his heart. That hint of Wallmoden's had hurt him +terribly, although he but half understood it. It tore asunder the veil +with which he had half unconsciously, half intentionally shrouded the +truth. He had, indeed, believed that a remnant of their wealth, rescued +from the wreck, had given him and his mother their income. But it was +not the first time that he had shut his eyes to what he did not wish to +see.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had enjoyed life in deep draughts without calling himself to account +for it when the hand of his mother had so suddenly torn him from the +enforced paternal education into unlimited freedom; when he exchanged +the routine of the strictest duties for a life full of intoxicating +enjoyments. He had then been too young to judge, and later on--it was +then too late; habit and example had woven too unyielding a net around +him. Now, for the first time, it was being shown him clearly and +unmistakably what the life was that he had led so long--the life of an +adventurer; and as an adventurer he had been pointed out the exit from +society.</p> + +<p class="normal">But hotter than the shame of that burned the affront which had been +given him, and hatred for the man who had forced this indisputable +truth upon him. The unfortunate inheritance from his mother, the hot, +wild blood which had once been fatal to the boy, welled up like a +stream of fire, and every other thought went down in a sensation, wild +and limitless, of thirst for revenge.</p> + +<p class="normal">His handsome features were distorted beyond recognition when he finally +left the room, with tightly closed teeth. He knew and felt but one +thing--that he must have revenge--revenge at any price!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">It was very late when the fête came to an end. After the withdrawal of +the ducal couple, a general move for departure took place. Carriage +after carriage rolled down the Schlossberg; the bright lights were +extinguished, and Furstenstein began to shroud itself in darkness and +silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the apartments devoted to the Ambassador and his wife, however, the +lights still burned.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide stood at the window in her rich robe of the fête and looked +out into the night like one lost in thought, but it was with a +peculiar, weary gesture that she leaned her head against the window +panes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden sat at the writing table, glancing through some letters and +dispatches which had arrived in the last hour. They seemed to contain +important news, for he did not lay them aside with other papers to +receive attention to-morrow morning, but grasped a pen and hastily +wrote a few lines, then arose and quickly approached his wife.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This comes unexpectedly," he said. "I shall have to go to Berlin."</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide turned in surprise. "So suddenly?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; I thought to accomplish this very serious affair by letter, but +the Minister expressly desires a personal interview. Therefore I shall +take leave of the Duke to-morrow morning for a period of about a week, +and depart immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young bride's features could not be distinguished in the +semi-darkness, but her breast heaved with a deep sigh, which betrayed a +perhaps unconscious relief.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At what hour do we leave?" she asked quickly; "I should like to notify +my maid."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We? This is entirely a business trip, and, naturally, I go alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I could accompany you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What for? You understand that it means an absence of only a week or +two."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter. I--I should like to see Berlin again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a whim!" said Wallmoden, shrugging his shoulders. "I shall be so +occupied this time that I could not accompany you anywhere."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife had approached the table and now stood in the full light +of the lamp. She was much paler than usual, and her voice had a +suppressed sound as she returned: "Well, then, I shall go home. I +should really not like to remain here alone at Furstenstein without +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Alone?" The Ambassador looked at her in astonishment. "You will be +with our relatives, whose guests we are. How long have you been so +desirous of protection? It is a thing I have not observed in you so +far. I do not understand you, Adelaide. What is this strange caprice of +wishing to accompany me at all hazards?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Accept it as a caprice, then, but let me go with you, Herbert; I beg +of you."</p> + +<p class="normal">She laid her hand entreatingly upon his arm, and her eyes were directed +with almost an expression of fear upon her husband's face, whose thin +lips parted in a sarcastic smile. It was that superior smile, which +could be so insulting at times.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, so? Now I understand. That scene with the Princess has been +disagreeable to you. You fear renewed annoyances, which will probably +not fail to come. You must lose this sensitiveness, my child. On the +contrary, you ought to be aware of the fact that this encounter alone +puts you to the necessity of remaining here. Every word, every look is +interpreted at Court, and a sudden departure on your part would give +rise to all sorts of speculations. You have to hold your own now, if +you do not wish to make your connections with the Court forever +difficult."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife's hand slipped slowly from his arm, and her look sank to +the floor at this cool rejoinder to her almost beseeching entreaty--the +first she had uttered in her short marriage.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hold my own," she repeated, in a low voice. "I do that, but I hoped +you would remain at my side."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is not possible just now, as you see; besides, you understand in +a masterly manner how to defend yourself. You have shown that to me as +well as to the whole Court to-day, but I am sure the hint I gave you +will be considered, and that you will be more cautious with your +answers in the future. At any rate, you will remain at Furstenstein +until I return for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide was silent. She saw that nothing was to be gained here.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden stepped back to the writing table and looked at the document +just received; then he grasped the sheet on which he had written the +answer and folded it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One thing more, Adelaide," he said, carelessly; "the young Prince +Adelsberg was constantly at your side to-night. He pays homage to you +in rather a conspicuous manner."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you wish me to decline these attentions?" she asked, indifferently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I only ask you to draw the necessary limit, so that no idle talk +may ensue. I do not intend to cut short your social victories. We do +not live in burgher circumstances, and it would be ridiculous in my +position to play the jealous husband who views every attention paid his +wife with suspicion. I leave this entirely to your own tact, in which I +have unlimited confidence."</p> + +<p class="normal">All of this sounded so tranquil, so sensible, so boundlessly +indifferent, Herr von Wallmoden might, indeed, be exonerated from any +thought of jealousy. The openly offered admiration of the young, +charming Prince caused him no anxiety; he quietly left his wife to her +"tact."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall attend to this dispatch myself," he continued; "as we have a +telegraph station in the castle since the Duke's arrival. You should +ring for your mail, my child; you look somewhat fatigued and probably +feel so. Good night."</p> + +<p class="normal">He left the room, but Adelaide did not follow the advice. She had drawn +near the window again, and a half bitter, half pained expression +trembled on her lips. She had never felt so painfully as at this moment +that she was nothing more to her husband than a shining jewel which one +exhibits, a wife whom one treats with perfect politeness and attention +because she brought in her hand a princely fortune, and to whom a +request could be denied with equal politeness; a request which might +have been so easily granted.</p> + +<p class="normal">Night rested over the forest; the sky was cloudy and dark, with here +and there a solitary star glimmering through the flying clouds. A pale +face looked up to the gloomy sky; not with the cold, proud composure +the world was accustomed to see, but with an expression of beseeching +entreaty.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife pressed both hands to her bosom, as if the pain and +unrest were there. She had wished to flee from the dark power +whose approach she had felt, and which was drawing the circles nearer +and closer around her. She had wished to flee to her husband's +protection. In vain! He would go away and leave her alone, and another +remained--another, who, with dark, glowing eyes and thrilling voice, +wielded such a mysterious, irresistible power. "Ada," the name with its +sweet, foreign sound, floated near her like a spirit's breath. It was +her name which the legend of the Arivana bore!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">October had come, and autumn began to show its reign in a marked +manner. The foliage of the trees bore gay tints; the country was +wrapped, morning and night, in mist. The nights sometimes brought +frost, while the days were unusually fine and sunny.</p> + +<p class="normal">With the exception of that large fête which had collected the whole +community, and the hunts, which were naturally prominent at this time +of the year, no particular festivities took place.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Duke, as well as his wife, loved to entertain small circles, and +did not wish to disturb the quiet and freedom of their autumn visit +with brilliant entertainments. On that account excursions were more +often taken. The forest hills were being explored on horseback and in +carriages, and the ducal table daily held a large number of guests. +Adelaide von Wallmoden belonged to this small circle. The Duchess, who +had learned in what manner her sister-in-law tried to make the position +of the young Baroness more difficult, counterbalanced it with greater +affability, drawing Adelaide into her presence at every opportunity; +and the Duke, who wished to distinguish the Ambassador and his wife, +was well satisfied with it.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden was still in Berlin. The two weeks he had appointed for his +trip had passed away, and yet nothing was said of his return.</p> + +<p class="normal">One of the most frequent visitors at Furstenstein was Egon von +Adelsberg, the pronounced favorite of his princely relatives; and his +friend, Rojanow, was always honored with an invitation. The young +Prince had prophesied correctly. Hartmut was like a shining meteor, +whom all eyes followed with admiration, and of whom it was not expected +that he should follow in the old beaten track of Court life.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had read his Arivana to them at the request of the Duchess, and with +it had gained a perfect triumph. The Duke had immediately promised him +a performance of the drama in the Court Theatre, and Princess Sophie +turned her special favor upon the young poet.</p> + +<p class="normal">The surrounding Court circle, of course, followed the example of the +princely people in this case only too gladly, for the charm he +exercised was universal.</p> + +<p class="normal">The hunting carriage of Prince Adelsberg stood before the castle of +Rodeck. It was still early, and the misty October morning seemed to +promise a clear, beautiful day. Egon had just appeared upon the terrace +in full hunting costume and was speaking with the castle steward, who +followed him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And so you wish to look at the hunt also?" he asked. "Of course, Peter +Stadinger has to be wherever anything is to be seen. My valet has also +asked leave of absence, and I believe the whole population of the Wald +will turn out to-day to be at the hunting grounds."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Your Highness, such things are not often to be seen," said +Stadinger. "The great Court and gala hunts have become rare in our +Wald. Hunting goes on everywhere, but then the gentlemen are mostly by +themselves, like here at Rodeck, and if the ladies are not there----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then it is unbearably tiresome," completed the Prince. "Quite my +opinion; but you are otherwise prejudiced against womankind, and cry +out if any one who has not reached a good old age comes within the +borders of Rodeck. Have you changed your opinion in your old days?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I meant the high princely ladies, Your Highness," declared the old +servant, with particular emphasis.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The high princely ladies could only honor me with a visit upon the +occasion of a drive. I cannot invite them, as I am a bachelor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And why is Your Highness still a bachelor?" asked Stadinger in +reproachful tones.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Man, I believe you also have matrimonial plans for me as well as the +world has," laughed Egon. "Spare your pains; I shall not marry."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is not right, Your Highness," persisted Stadinger, who gave his +master his title at least once in every sentence because it was +"respectable" so to do, while at the same time he took the liberty of +lecturing him upon every occasion; "and it is also unchristianlike, for +matrimony is a holy state, in which one feels well off. Your sainted +father was married--and so was I."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, of course, you too. You are even grandfather of a most charming +granddaughter, whom you have most cruelly sent off. When does she come +back, anyhow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The steward thought best to lose the last question, but he remained +obstinately at his subject.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Highness, the Duchess and the Princess Sophie are of the same +opinion. Your Highness should consider the subject seriously."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, since you exhort so paternally, I will consider it. But, +concerning the Princess Sophie, she intends to drive to Bucheneck, +which is the meeting place of to-day's hunt; it may be possible she +will notice you there and may speak to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very probable, Your Highness," confirmed the old man, complacently. +"Her Highness always honors me by speaking to me, because she knows me +as the oldest servant of the ducal house."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well. If the Princess should ask casually after the snakes and +animals which I have brought back from my travels, you say that they +have already been sent to one of my other castles."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not necessary at all, Your Highness," Stadinger assured him, +benevolently; "the most illustrious aunt already knows all about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Knows all about what? Have you told her anything?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At your service. The day before yesterday, when I was at Furstenstein, +Her Highness had just returned from a drive and graciously beckoned me +to approach and asked me--Her Highness likes to do that----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Heaven knows!" groaned the young Prince, who already scented +mischief. "And what did you answer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Your Highness may rest easy,' I said; 'we have only monkeys and +parrots of the live animals in the castle. Serpents have never been +there. A large sea serpent, though, was to have arrived, but he died on +the voyage, and the elephants tore themselves lose at the embarking and +ran back to the palm forests--at least, so His Highness says. To be +sure, we have two tigers, but they are stuffed; and of the lions, there +is only the skin, which lies in the armory. Therefore Your Highness may +see that the beasts cannot break loose and do harm.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, but you have fixed things now with your chattering!" cried Egon, +exasperated. "And the Princess, what did she say?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Her Highness only smiled and inquired what kind of female servants we +had at Rodeck, and if the girls of this vicinity were among them; but I +said then"--here Stadinger drew himself up consciously--"'The servants +in service at the castle I have hired. They are all industrious and +reliable; I have looked out for that. But His Highness runs when he +puts eyes on them, and Herr Rojanow runs still more; and the gentlemen +have never gone back into the kitchen since the first time they went +there.' After that Her Highness was most gracious and condescended to +praise me and dismissed me in the very highest satisfaction."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I should like to run you to perdition in the very highest +dissatisfaction," the Prince burst forth, wrathfully. "You unlucky old +Waldgeist, what <i>have</i> you been doing again?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man, who apparently thought that he had done his part extremely +well, looked at his master in perplexity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I have only said the truth, Your Highness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are cases where one must not say the truth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So? I did not know that till now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stadinger, you have quite an abominable way of answering. Have you +told the Princess also that Lena has been in town for the past four +weeks?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At your service, Your Highness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter with Stadinger again?" inquired Hartmut, who +emerged from the castle, also dressed for the hunt, and who had heard +the last of the conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He has committed a first-class foolishness," grumbled Egon, but he was +met with bad success by the "oldest servant of the ducal house," who +drew himself up, deeply offended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"With your permission, Your Highness, I have not committed the +foolishness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you mean perhaps that I have done it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger looked at his master keenly from the corner of his eye, after +which he said deliberately: "That I do not know, Your Highness; but it +may be so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a churl!" cried the Prince, hotly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Known for that through all the Wald, Your Highness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come, Hartmut; nothing can be done with the old, grumbling bear +to-day," said Egon, half laughing, half vexed. "At first he gets me +into scrapes, and then he lectures me on top of it. May graciousness +help you, Stadinger, if you give any more such reports!"</p> + +<p class="normal">With which he entered the carriage with Rojanow. Stadinger remained +standing in military position and saluted as was demanded by his idea +of the respectful, for respect was the main thing, although he did not +in the least think of giving in by so doing. His Highness, Prince Egon, +had to do that; he could not come up with his Peter Stadinger.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Egon was evidently of the same opinion as he narrated the proceeding to +his friend, and concluded with comic despair: "Now you can imagine what +a reception will be mine from the most illustrious aunt. She has +guessed that I wished to keep her away from Rodeck. My morals are +rescued in her eyes, but at the expense of my veracity. Hartmut, do me +the favor of showering your sweetest affability upon my revered aunt. +If necessary, compose a poem for her as a lightning rod; otherwise the +flash of her most high anger will annihilate me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I should think you were weather-proof in this respect," quoth +Hartmut. "You have had to have forgiveness for many similar escapades. +The Duchess and the younger ladies will be at the chase on horseback, +will they not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, they could not see much from a carriage. Do you know that Frau +von Wallmoden sits her horse perfectly. I met her the day before +yesterday as she returned from a ride with her brother-in-law, the +Chief Forester."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, so? Well, one knows, then, where Prince Adelsberg will be to-day +exclusively."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon, who had been reclining comfortably, straightened himself and +looked at his friend inquiringly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not so much sarcasm, if you please. Although you are not to be found +so frequently in the presence of the afore-mentioned lady, and even +pretend a certain coldness toward her, I know you too well not to see +that we are only too much of the same opinion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And if it were so, would you consider it a break in our friendship?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not in this case, where the object is unobtainable to both."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Unobtainable!" That unpleasant smile again passed over his lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Hartmut," said the Prince, seriously, "the beautiful, cold +Aurora, as you have christened her, remains true to her nature. She +stands far removed and unapproachable on the horizon, and the ice sea +from which she rises is not to be penetrated. The lady has no heart; +she is incapable of a passionate feeling, and this gives her this +enviable security. Come, confess that here your power is wrecked. The +icy breath has chilled you, and therefore you flee from it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut was silent. He thought of those moments in the tower room, when +he asked for the brilliant flower. It had been refused him, but it had +not been an icy breath which came from the Baroness when she had +trembled under the gaze of the beseecher.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had since seen her almost daily, but had rarely approached her, +although he knew that he held her under his spell now as before.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless, I cannot get free from this foolish infatuation," +continued Egon, with a half dreamy expression. "It seems to me that +life and warmth could grow up in that nature, and change the snow +region into a blooming world. If Adelaide von Wallmoden were still +free, I believe I should make the attempt."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow, who had been gazing into the misty forest, lost in thought, +turned quickly and sharply:</p> + +<p class="normal">"What attempt? Does that perhaps mean that you would offer her your +hand?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem really horror-stricken at the idea." The Prince laughed +aloud. "I meant that, indeed. I have no prejudice against the +manufacturing world, like my most gracious aunt, whom such a +possibility would indeed throw into convulsions. Strange to say, you +seem to think so, too. Well, both of you may rest easy. His Excellency, +the husband, has seized the prize; but he truly does not make a life of +roses for her with his tiresome diplomatic face. Ah! but the man has +had enviable good luck."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Call no man happy before his death," muttered Hartmut under his +breath.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A very wise remark, and one not quite new to me. But you sometimes +have something in your eyes which frightens me. Do not be offended, +Hartmut; but you look like a demon at this moment."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow made no answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">The road now left the forest, and yonder Furstenstein rose into view, +where the ducal colors floated in the morning breeze. Half an hour +later the carriage rolled into the castle court, where an animated +scene reigned.</p> + +<p class="normal">The entire force of servants was at hand; saddle horses and carriages +were ready, and the greater number of invited guests had already +arrived.</p> + +<p class="normal">The start took place at the appointed hour, and the bright light of the +sun, breaking through the mist, shone resplendent on the imposing +cavalcade as it moved down the Schlossberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Duke and Duchess led the party; then followed the numerous suite +and the whole assembly of guests, and the grooms in full livery who +were permitted to go.</p> + +<p class="normal">Out through the sunny autumn morning into the forests and heights of +the hunting preserves, where it soon became lively. Firing resounded on +all sides; the flying game broke through the thickets or sped across +the openings, now alone and now in droves, only to be reached finally +by a ball; and the usually quiet forest gave back the echo of the +chase.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Chief Forester had ordered out the entire forester staff of the +Wald, and had made all arrangements so excellently that it brought him +great honor to lead the chase, which was not marred by any accident.</p> + +<p class="normal">Toward noon a rendezvous was held at Bucheneck, a small ducal forest +lodge situated in the midst of the Wald, and which could afford shelter +in case of unfavorable weather. This was not necessary to-day, for the +weather had turned out to be fine, only a little too warm for an +October day. The sun burned so hotly as to render it unpleasant at +luncheon, which was partaken of out of doors; but otherwise all passed +off happily and unceremoniously, and a gay scene developed upon the +large green meadow, at the border of which Bucheneck was situated.</p> + +<p class="normal">The entire hunting cortege was assembled here. The Duke, who had been +especially fortunate in the chase to-day, was in the very best of +spirits. The Duchess chatted with animation to her surrounding ladies, +and the Chief Forester beamed with pleasure, for the Duke had expressed +his satisfaction in the most flattering manner.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Wallmoden, who was near the Duchess, was the subject of +general admiration to-day. She was, without doubt, the most beautiful +of all the assembled ladies, nearly all of whom needed rich dressing +and candle-light to bring out their beauty. Here, in the bright, midday +sun, in plain, dark riding habits, which permitted no colors or jewels, +many an otherwise admired appearance faded. The young Baroness alone +remained victorious in this simplicity. Her tall, slender figure looked +as if formed for her habit, while the transparent clearness and +freshness of her skin, and the shining blondness of her hair were even +more to be admired in daylight than at the night fête. Besides, she had +really proved herself an able horsewoman, who sat in the saddle with as +much ease as security; in short, the "beautiful Aurora," as Frau von +Wallmoden was now called in the court circle since Prince Adelsberg had +given her that name, was admired on all sides, and received the more +attention as it was known that she was to disappear for several weeks.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Ambassador had notified his wife yesterday that his diplomatic work +was now finished, but that he would utilize his presence in North +Germany in looking after the Stahlberg works.</p> + +<p class="normal">Important changes had been planned there, and new improvements spoken +of, for which a final decision had to be made, and Wallmoden, as +executor and guardian of the heir, had the deciding voice in it. His +presence at the conference was indispensable; he had asked leave of +absence from his office, and had notified the Duke of a return later.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the same time he left it to his wife to decide whether she would +remain at Furstenstein or take the trip to her old home with him, if +she wished to see her brother. Now, after fully two weeks, no one could +misconstrue her departure. The young wife had immediately chosen to go +with her husband, and had notified the Duchess that she should leave on +the morrow.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Princess Sophie had arrived at Bucheneck with her lady of honor and the +elder ladies in carriages, and now attempted, above everything, to lay +hands on her illustrious nephew; but he developed an incredible aptness +at keeping out of her reach. He was everywhere except in the near +presence of his most gracious aunt, until finally she lost patience and +ordered a gentleman to call Prince Adelsberg into her presence.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon had to obey this command, but he used the precaution of taking the +"lightning rod" with him. Rojanow was at his side when he stood before +the Princess.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Egon, do I really get a glimpse of you?" was the not very +gracious reception. "You seem to have been taken possession of on all +sides to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am always ready for the service of my most gracious aunt," declared +Egon in honeyed accents; but the sweetness did him no good. The +Princess measured him with an annihilating glance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As far as your knightly service to Frau von Wallmoden leaves you time. +She will give this chivalry a glowing mention to her husband. You may +know him, perhaps?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly. I revere him highly as a man, as a diplomat and as His +Excellency. Your Highness may believe that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe you unconditionally, Egon. Your love for veracity is far +above any doubts with me," said the lady, with stinging sarcasm. "I +just happen to remember speaking the day before yesterday with the +steward of Rodeck--the old Stadinger--who is still very active for his +years."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But he suffers seriously from failing memory," the Prince hastened to +assure her. "I am sorry to say that Stadinger forgets everything. Is it +not so, Hartmut? He positively does not know to-day what he saw +yesterday."</p> + +<p class="normal">"On the contrary, I found that his memory was exceptionally fresh. +Besides, he is the oldest and truest servant of your house, +reliable--careful----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And a churl," interrupted Egon, sighing. "Your Highness, you have no +idea of the unlimited gruffness which dwells in this Peter Stadinger. +He tyrannizes over Herr Rojanow and me shamefully. I have actually +thought of retiring him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Of course, he did not dream of that. His Highness knew better than to +make Peter Stadinger such a proposition, and would have fared badly if +he had. But Princess Sophie, who had the reputation of being very +haughty and relentless toward her servants, now favored a very mild +course.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not do that," she remonstrated. "A man who is now serving +the third generation of the ducal family may be pardoned such a thing, +particularly considering the somewhat loose housekeeping which the +young gentlemen lead at Rodeck. It seems that they do not like to see +visitors there, preferring the solitude."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, yes, the solitude!" sighed Egon, sentimentally. "It does one so +much good after the stormy life of travel, and we enjoy it in full +draughts. I occupy myself mostly----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"With the taming of your wild animals," finished the Princess +maliciously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, with--with my travelling memoirs, which I intend to publish; and +Hartmut composes melancholy songs. He has just now the material for a +ballad under his pen, to which Your Highness drew his attention."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, Herr Rojanow, have you really utilized the theme?" asked the +lady, whose face now suddenly beamed with sunshine, as she turned to +the young poet.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, Your Highness. I am very grateful to you for the +suggestion," said Hartmut, who had not the slightest idea what the +subject was, but felt that he had to go into action now.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad of that. I love poetry and seek it at every opportunity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And with what understanding and appreciation!" cried Egon, +enthusiastically. But he quickly embraced the opportunity of slipping +away, leaving his friend behind as the victim. He hastened to the +presence of the Duchess, which meant the presence of Frau von +Wallmoden, where he seemed to feel decidedly better than with his most +gracious aunt.</p> + +<p class="normal">The chase was resumed after luncheon was over. It was now a hunt for +large game, which was commenced with renewed zeal.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the hitherto sunny weather changed in the afternoon. The sky grew +cloudy and dark, but it remained warm, almost stifling, and a heavy +bank of cloud arose in the west. It looked as if one of those late +thunderstorms was preparing, which passed at times over the Wald at +this season.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Duchess, with a portion of her attendants, had taken her stand upon +a hill which seemed to afford the best view, but soon the chase took +another quite unexpected direction, and the onlookers made ready to +follow.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Wallmoden met here with a slight accident. The girth of her +saddle suddenly broke and she sprang lightly from the stirrup, thus +saving herself from a fall. It was not possible to continue her ride, +for although the accompanying groom could have given her a horse, there +was no lady's saddle at hand; consequently she had to give up further +participation, and decided to walk back to Bucheneck, to where one of +the grooms would lead her horse.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide had requested the servant to precede her, and she lingered on +the hill which had become quiet and lonely. It almost seemed that the +accident had been welcome to her, since it relieved her from attending +the chase to the end.</p> + +<p class="normal">It is always a relief when one can drop a mask which has deceived the +world and can breathe in solitude, if it only brings conviction of the +heavy load one had to bear under that mask.</p> + +<p class="normal">Where had the cold, proud calm vanished with which the young wife had +entered her new home upon the arm of her husband? Now, when she knew +herself alone and unobserved, it could be plainly seen that she had +changed much.</p> + +<p class="normal">That strong will-line which had made her resemble her father so much +had become more pronounced, but besides that there was another line--a +painful one--as of a person who has to struggle with secret torture and +anxiety. The blue eyes had lost the cold, dispassionate expression. A +deep shadow rested within them which also told of struggle and pain, +and the blonde head drooped as if under an invisible but heavy load.</p> + +<p class="normal">And yet Adelaide drew a breath of relief at the thought that this would +be the last day she should spend at Furstenstein. By to-morrow she +would be far from here. Perhaps there would be rest in the far removal +of the dark power against which she had struggled now for weeks so +painfully, and yet so vainly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps she would get better if she did not see those eyes day after +day, nor hear that voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">When she should have fled from the enchanted circle the charm would +have to break, and now at last she could flee--oh, the happiness of it!</p> + +<p class="normal">The noise of the chase sounded in ever-increasing distance, and was +finally lost, but steps now sounded in the forest which encircled the +hill closely, and warned the young Baroness that she was no longer +alone. She started to leave, but at the moment she turned the one +approaching emerged from under the trees.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut Rojanow stood before her.</p> + +<p class="normal">The meeting was so sudden and unexpected that Adelaide's composure was +not proof against it. She retreated to the trunk of the tree, under the +boughs of which she had been standing, as if seeking there a protection +from this man, upon whom she gazed with fixed, fearful eyes--with the +gaze of a wounded animal which sees the huntsman approach.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow did not seem to notice it. He saluted her and asked hastily: +"You are alone, Your Excellency? The accident did not have any serious +consequences?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What accident?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was said you had a fall from your horse."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What exaggeration! The girth broke, but I knew it in time to spring +from the stirrup, while the horse stood perfectly still--that was the +accident."</p> + +<p class="normal">"God be praised! I heard something of a fall--an injury--and as you did +not reappear at the chase I feared----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused, for Adelaide's glance showed him plainly that she did not +believe this pretense; probably he knew the whole occurrence and had +learned why and where Frau von Wallmoden had been left behind. She now +regained her composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, Herr Rojanow, but your being at all concerned was not +necessary," she said coldly. "You could have told yourself that had +there been a real accident the Duchess and the other ladies would not +have left me helpless in the forest. I am on my way to Bucheneck."</p> + +<p class="normal">She attempted to pass him. He bowed and stepped aside as if to let her +pass, but said in a low voice:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gracious lady, I have yet to ask your pardon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My pardon! For what?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For a request which I uttered thoughtlessly and for which I have had +to suffer seriously. I only asked for a flower. Is that, then, so +severe a transgression that one should be angry over it for weeks?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide had paused almost without knowing it.</p> + +<p class="normal">Again she was under the charm of these eyes--this voice, which held her +fast as with magnetism.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are mistaken, Herr Rojanow. I am not angry with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not? And yet it is this icy tone I have always to hear since I dared +approach you in that hour. You have learned, too, to know my work, for +which I begged a recognition. You were present when I read it at +Furstenstein. My Arivana was praised overwhelmingly on all sides, but +from your mouth alone I heard no word--not one. Will you refuse it even +now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought we were hunting to-day," said Adelaide with an attempt to +pass the subject by, "where it is surely not admissible to speak of +poetical works."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have both left the chase; it is running now toward the Rodeck +forest. There is only forest solitude here. Look at this autumn-tinted +foliage which warns so mournfully of fleeting existence--the silent +water down there, those thunder clouds in the distance. I believe there +is a more endless amount of poetry in all this than in the halls of +Furstenstein."</p> + +<p class="normal">He pointed to the landscape which spread out before them, but no longer +in the bright sunlight that had favored the chase at the beginning. Now +it lay in the dim light of an overcast sky, which made even the gay +foliage appear withered and dull.</p> + +<p class="normal">They could see far out into the mountains, which, retreating on both +sides, left the distance free. The endless ocean of forest crowns which +only a few weeks ago waved green and airily in the breeze, now bore the +color of the fall. They shone from the darkest brown to brilliant +golden yellow in every shade all around, and shining red gleamed from +the bushes and shrubs.</p> + +<p class="normal">The dying forest adorned itself once more with deceptive splendor, but +it was only the coloring of the passing away and dying. All life and +bloom were at an end.</p> + +<p class="normal">Deep in the ravine lay a little forest lake, which, dark and +motionless, seemed to dream in the wreath of reeds and rushes which +surrounded it. It resembled strangely another pond that, far away +in North Germany, lay in the midst of a pine forest--the Burgsdorf +pond--which, like this one, ended in a meadow where rich green +beckoned, nourished by the swamp and bog, hiding itself deceitfully +beneath it, and drawing the ignorant one into its depth without hope of +rescue.</p> + +<p class="normal">Even now in daylight it seemed to breathe fog and twilight, and when +night should descend the will-o'-the-wisp probably commenced here also +its ghostly play.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the horizon, where in clear weather the summits of the mountains +were visible, towered now a dark bank of clouds. As yet in the +distance, its stifling breath rested already over the Wald, and at +times a dull light flashed from it.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide had not answered Hartmut's question. She gazed out over the +country to avoid looking into the face of the man who stood before her, +but she felt the dark, passionate look which rested upon her face, as +she had always felt it in the last weeks, as soon as Rojanow was in her +presence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are going away to-morrow, gracious lady," he commenced again. "Who +knows when you will return and when I shall see you again? May not I +beg for your opinion? May I not ask if my work has found grace in the +eyes of--Ada?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Her name again upon his lips; again that soft, veiled, yet passionate, +tone which she feared, and yet to which she listened as to enchanting +music!</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide felt that here she was a prisoner; there was no chance for +flight. She had to look the danger full in the face.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide von Wallmoden turned slowly toward her questioner, and her +features betrayed that she was determined to end the hard struggle the +struggle with her own self.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You play strangely with this name, Herr Rojanow," she said +emphatically and proudly. "It stood over the poem which was put into my +possession in a mysterious manner last week, written in a strange hand, +without signature----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And which you read, nevertheless," he interrupted triumphantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and burned."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Burned!"</p> + +<p class="normal">From Hartmut's eyes flashed again the uncanny look which had startled +even Egon and made him exclaim, "You look like a demon!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The demon of hate and revenge had risen wildly against the man who had +insulted him unto death and whom he therefore wished to hurt unto +death, and yet he loved that man's wife as the son of Zalika alone +could love--with wild, consuming passion; but that which he felt at +this moment resembled hatred more than love.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The poor leaf," he said with ill-concealed bitterness. "And so it had +to suffer death in the flames--perhaps it deserved a better fate."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You ought not to have sent it to me, then. I dare not and will not +accept such poetry."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You dare not, gracious lady? It is the homage of a poet which he +lays at the feet of the woman who has been his from the beginning of +time--and you will concede that to him also."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words came but half-aloud from his lips, but so hot and passionate +that Adelaide shuddered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You may pay homage like that to the women of your country, and in such +words," she said. "A German woman does not understand it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you have understood it, nevertheless," Hartmut burst forth, "and +you also understood the doctrine of the intense ardor of my Arivana, +which bears off the victory over all human laws. I saw it that evening +when you turned your back apparently so coldly upon me, while all the +others overwhelmed me with admiration. Do not deceive yourself, Ada. +When the divine spark falls into two souls it flames up, in the cold +north as well as the fervent south, and it already burns within us. In +this breath of fire, will and will-power die the death; it smothers +everything that has existed, and nothing remains but the holy, blazing +flame which shines and makes happy, even if it destroys. You love me, +Ada--I know it--do not attempt to deny it, and I--I love you +boundlessly."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood before her in the stormy triumph of the victor, and his dark, +demoniacal beauty had, perhaps, never been as captivating as at this +moment, when the fire which breathed in his words burst also from his +eyes--his whole being.</p> + +<p class="normal">And he did speak the truth!</p> + +<p class="normal">The woman who leaned there against the trunk of the tree so deathly +white, loved him as only a pure, proud nature can love; that nature +which so far had lived in the delusion that her emotions would forever +lie in slumber, called by the world coldness of heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now she saw herself awaking before a passion which found a +thousand-fold echo in her own breast; now that breath of flame floated +around her also with its scorching glow; now came the test!</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave me, Herr Rojanow, instantly!" cried Adelaide.</p> + +<p class="normal">Her voice sounded half smothered, almost inaudible, and she addressed a +man who was not wont to yield when he felt himself victorious.</p> + +<p class="normal">He started to approach her hastily--he suddenly stood still. There was +something in the eyes--in the bearing of the young Baroness which kept +him within bounds, but again he breathed her name in that tone, the +power of which perhaps he knew best--"Ada."</p> + +<p class="normal">She shuddered and made a repellent gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not that name. For you I am Adelaide von Wallmoden. I am married--you +know that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Married to a man who stands on the border of old age, whom you do not +love, and who could not give you any love if he were young. That cold, +calculating nature knows no emotion of passion. The Court, his +position, his promotion, are everything to him--his wife, nothing. He +perhaps boasts of the possession of a jewel which he does not know how +to value, and for which another would give his soul's eternal bliss."</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide's lips quivered. She knew only too well that he was right, but +she did not answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what binds you to this man?" continued Rojanow, still more +impressively. "A word--a single 'Yes' uttered by you without knowing +its full meaning--without knowing yourself. Shall it bind you for your +life? Shall it make us both miserable? No, Ada, love the eternal, +undying right of the human heart does not bow before that. People may +call it guilt, they may call it doom. We stand now under this doom, and +must follow it; a single word shall not part us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Far off at the horizon the flame burst up with such glaring light that +it shone also over the opening on the hill.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut stood for a moment in this light. He was now so fully the son +of his mother; resembling so closely her beautiful but pernicious +features; but it was that flash of lightning that brought Adelaide back +to consciousness; or had it shown her the unholy fire which burned in +his eyes? She retreated with an expression of unveiled horror.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A solemnly given and accepted word is a vow," she said slowly, "and he +who breaks it breaks his honor."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut started. Sudden and glaring like that flash of lightning flamed +up a remembrance in his mind--the resemblance of that hour when he had +given a solemn word--a word of honor, and--had broken it!</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide von Wallmoden straightened her slender figure; her features +still showed the deathly pallor as she continued in a low but steady +tone to Rojanow:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Abandon this persecution which I have felt for weeks. I shudder before +you--at your eyes, your words. I feel that it is destruction that goes +out from you, and one does not love that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ada!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Passionate entreaty sounded in the word, but the low voice of Adelaide +gained firmness quickly as she continued:</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you do not love me. It has often seemed to me as if it were your +hatred that pursued me. You and your kind cannot love."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow kept silence in bewilderment. Who taught this young woman, +still so inexperienced in life, to look so deeply into his inmost +heart? He had not made clear to himself yet how inseparably hate and +love were combined in his passion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you tell this to the writer of Arivana!" he burst out in +bitterness. "They have called my work the high song of love----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then they have let themselves be deceived by the veil of the Oriental +legend in which you shrouded your characters. They saw then only the +East Indian priest sink with his beloved one under an iron, inhuman +law. You are perhaps a great poet, and perhaps the world overwhelms you +with praise, but it tells me something different--this fervent, ardent +doctrine of your Arivana. It has taught me to know its creator--a man +who does not believe in anything, and to whom nothing in the world is +sacred; no duty and no vow; no man's honor and no woman's virtue--who +would not hesitate to drag the highest into the dust as play for his +passion. I still believe in duty and honor; I still believe in myself, +and with this faith I offer defiance to the doom you hold so +triumphantly before me. I could force myself to death, but never to +your arms!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She stood before him, not as just now in trembling fear--in the +tortured wrestling with a secret struggle, It seemed as if, with each +of the annihilating words, one ring of the chain which held possession +of her so mysteriously was broken. Her eyes met fully and freely the +dark look which had kept her a prisoner so long; the charm was broken +now and she felt it, and breathed like one rescued.</p> + +<p class="normal">Again that flash in the distance--noiseless, without the rumbling of +thunder--but it was as if heaven had opened in all its vastness. +Fantastic formation of clouds was in this flaring light--forms which +seemed to wrestle and struggle with each other, born of the storm, and +yet that bank of cloud stood motionless at the horizon--and just as +motionless stood the man, whose dark features showed now an ashy +paleness in the glare of the lightning.</p> + +<p class="normal">His eyes were fixed upon the young woman, but the wild fire in +them had died out, and his voice had a strange sound as he said: "And +this is the opinion I asked for? I am nothing more in your eyes than +an--outcast?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A lost man, perhaps. You have forced me to this confession."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut slowly retreated a few steps.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Lost!" he repeated hoarsely. "In your meaning, perhaps, yes. You may +rest assured, gracious lady, I shall not approach you any more. One +does not desire to hear such words a second time--you stand so high and +proud upon your virtue and, judge so severely. Of course you have no +idea what a hot, wild life can make of a person who wanders restlessly, +without home and family, through the world. You are right--I have not +believed in anything, either upon high or here upon the earth--until +this hour."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was something in his tone, in his whole bearing, that disarmed +Adelaide. She felt that she would not have to fear another burst of his +passion, and her voice softened involuntarily at her answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not judge anybody; but with my whole mind and being I belong to +another world, with other laws than yours. I am the daughter of an +idolized father, who, all of his life, knew but one road that of +earnest, severe duty. On that he worked himself up from poverty and +want to wealth and honor. He led his children along this road, and his +memory is the shield which covers me in every hard hour. I could not +bear it if I had to cast down my eyes before the picture of my memory. +You probably have no father?"----</p> + +<p class="normal">A long, heavy pause ensued. Hartmut did not answer, but his head sank +under those words, the crushing weight of which the Baroness had no +idea, and his eyes were upon the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," he at last replied, hoarsely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you have the memory of him and your mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My mother!" Rojanow started up suddenly and violently. "Do not speak +of her in this hour--do not speak to me of my mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was an outburst of mingled bitterness, of accusation and despair. +The mother was being judged by her son in this exclamation. He rejected +her memory as a desecration of this hour.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide did not understand him; she saw only that she had touched a +topic which did not admit of explanation, and she also saw that the +man who stood before her now with this dark look--with this tone of +despair--was a different being from that one who had approached her a +quarter of an hour ago. It was a dark, mysterious depth into which she +gazed, but it no longer caused her fear.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us end this conversation," she said earnestly. "You will not seek +a second one--I trust you. But one more word before we part. You are a +poet. I felt it in spite of all when I heard your work, and poets are +teachers of mankind. They can lead to happiness or destruction. The +wild flames of your Arivana seem to burst forth from the depths of a +life which you yourself seem to hate. Look there!" She pointed into the +distance, which was now lighted up again in a flaming glow. "Those are +also signs of flame, but they come from on high, and they point to +another road---- Farewell!"</p> + +<p style="text-align:center; letter-spacing:20px">* * * * *</p> + +<p class="normal">She had disappeared long ago, but Hartmut still stood as if rooted to +the ground. He had not replied with one word--had made no motion; he +only looked with hot, fixed eyes to where now one flash of lightning +after another tore the clouds asunder, shrouding the whole country with +a fiery cloak, and then he looked at the little forest lake which +resembled so closely that one at Burgsdorf, with its waving reed and +the deceiving, foggy meadow, which here also pressed so close to the +water.</p> + +<p class="normal">The boy had once dreamed among such whispering rushes of soaring +up like the falcon of which his race bore the name, in boundless +freedom--ever higher toward the sun--and at the same place the decision +over his fate had been made on that dark autumn night, when the +will-o'-the-wisp led its ghostly dance.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the deserter had not risen to the sun--the earth had held him fast; +the rich, green meadow had drawn him down deeper and deeper. He had +felt at times that the intoxicating cup of freedom and life which the +hand of his mother gave him was poisoned, but no precious memory +shielded him; he did not dare to think of his father.</p> + +<p class="normal">Over there in the distance the forms of cloud struggled and wrestled +wilder and wilder; closer and closer together they drew, and in the +midst of this struggle and this darkness the flames again burst +victoriously--the powerful flames from on high.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The winter social life had commenced at the Residenz, where the +professional element played a conspicuous rôle. The Duke, who loved and +encouraged art, took great pride in gathering renowned members of it +into his presence, seeking to retain them in his capitol, and, of +course, society followed largely in the same direction.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young poet who was being so highly favored by the Court, and whose +first large work was to appear on the court stage, was from the first +an interesting person to everybody, and the tales which were told about +him served to increase this interest.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was very unusual for a Roumanian to compose his work in the German +language, even when it was whispered that he had received his education +in Germany. Besides that, he was the bosom friend, and the guest here +in town also, of Prince Adelsberg, and all sorts of touching and +wonderful stories were narrated about this friendship.</p> + +<p class="normal">Above all, Hartmut's personality gave him a favored position wherever +he went. The young, handsome, highly-gifted stranger, whom a +half-romantic, half-mysterious air surrounded, had only to make his +appearance even here to draw all eyes upon him.</p> + +<p class="normal">The rehearsal of Arivana had commenced immediately after the return of +the ducal party to the Residenz, under the personal supervision of the +poet; while Prince Adelsberg, who in his enthusiasm for the work of his +friend, had changed into a kind of manager, made life hard to the +performers by all sorts of requests in regard to the filling of +characters and the setting of the play.</p> + +<p class="normal">He knew how to get his way, and the scenery and setting were brilliant; +the rôles were all filled by the first talent of the Court Theatre, and +even the opera singers were called into service, since one of the rôles +required a rather extensive part of song. One could not expect this +from an actress, therefore a young singer--Marietta Volkmar--was +entrusted with it.</p> + +<p class="normal">The performance of the play, which was to have taken place at a later +date, was being hastened as much as possible, as guests were expected +at Court, and the new drama, which toyed so poetically and airily with +the Indian legend as a background, was to be performed before the +illustrious guests. An unusual success was anticipated.</p> + +<p class="normal">This was the state of affairs at the return of Herbert von Wallmoden, +who was naturally painfully surprised. Although he had learned from a +casual question to his wife that Rojanow still kept up his intercourse +at Furstenstein, and although he had not counted upon a sudden +disappearance on Rojanow's part which would necessarily have caused +comment, still he had been of the firm opinion that in spite of his +haughty decision to remain, Hartmut would consider it again and make +his retreat as soon as Prince Adelsberg left Rodeck. Surely he would +not dare to appear at the Prince's side at the Residenz, where his stay +might be made impossible through those threatened "explanations."</p> + +<p class="normal">But the Ambassador had not counted upon the unyielding defiance of the +man who ventured and dared a high game here. Now, after a few weeks, he +found him in a favored position in every respect and in closest +intercourse with the court society.</p> + +<p class="normal">If now, just before the performance of the drama which the Duke favored +so decidedly, and of which the whole town was already talking, one +should publish the disclosures of the former life of the poet, it would +touch all circles unpleasantly and appear malicious.</p> + +<p class="normal">The experienced diplomat did not deceive himself about the fact that +the deep displeasure which would doubtless take possession of the Duke +would then fall back upon himself, because he had not spoken before at +the first appearance of Rojanow. Nothing was left for him to do but to +keep silence and await developments.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden was far from having an idea that a heavy danger had +threatened himself from that quarter. He supposed that his wife knew +Hartmut only as a companion of Prince Adelsberg. She had never +mentioned the name since, after her arrival in Berlin, she answered a +seemingly careless question just as carelessly, and he had also kept +silence. She must not and should not learn anything of those old +connections which he had kept from her from the beginning.</p> + +<p class="normal">But he dared not be silent toward his nephew, Willibald, if he did not +wish to live to see another scene of recognition like that upon the +Hochberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord had accompanied his relatives to South Germany; was to +remain but a few days at the Residenz, and go from there to +Furstenstein to his betrothed, for the Chief Forester had specially +requested that the visit, which was so suddenly broken off in +September, should be finished now.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You were here barely a week," he wrote to his sister-in-law, "and now +I beg for my son-in-law a little longer. Everything has been put in +order now at your much-loved Burgsdorf, and there is not much to do in +November. Therefore at least send us Willy if you cannot get off. A +refusal will not be accepted. Toni expects her betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen saw that he was right and was willing to send +Willy--for she, of course, decided the matter. He had made no new +attempt to rebel against the maternal ruling, and seemed, anyway, to +have come to his senses completely again. He was, perhaps, more quiet +than before, and threw himself with quite unusual zeal into his +agricultural work after his return, but otherwise bore himself +especially well.</p> + +<p class="normal">He remained obstinate only upon one point: he would not speak with his +mother about that "silliness" which had caused the sudden departure, +and avoided every explanation concerning it. Apparently he was ashamed +of that quickly-flaming affection, which probably had never been +serious, and did not wish to be reminded of it.</p> + +<p class="normal">He wrote frequently to his fiancée, and received just as punctual +replies. The correspondence, however, was more of a practical than a +tender nature, and mostly concerned plans for their future lives and +farm arrangements; but one saw from this that the young lord considered +his marriage, for which the day had been set, as quite decided, and +Frau Regine, who deemed it her indisputable right to read all of the +letters of the engaged couple, declared herself satisfied with them.</p> + +<p class="normal">So Willibald received a gracious permission to visit his betrothed, +which was now so much less hazardous since the dangerous little +person--Marietta Volkmar--was at present at the Residenz, where her +position kept her. But to be quite sure, Frau von Eschenhagen put her +son under the protection of her brother, who, with his wife, had paid a +brief visit to Burgsdorf upon his return from the Stahlberg works.</p> + +<p class="normal">If Willibald, during the two or three days of his visit at the +Residenz, remained at Wallmoden's house and went with them exclusively, +no danger was to be feared.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Ambassador saw soon after his arrival that he would be forced to +enlighten his nephew regarding Hartmut Rojanow, for the name was +mentioned on all sides already the first day. Willy, who at that former +time had been the confidant of the secret rendezvous of Hartmut and his +mother, and knew her name, started upon hearing it, coupled with a +remark that a young Roumanian was the gifted poet, which made him still +more suspicious.</p> + +<p class="normal">He glanced in perplexity at his uncle, who managed to signal to him +just in time not to question any further, and who then embraced the +first opportunity to tell him the truth.</p> + +<p class="normal">He did this, of course, in the most inconsiderate manner, and presented +Hartmut as an adventurer of the worst kind, whom he would in a very +short time force to give up the rôle which he was playing here, without +being in the least entitled to it.</p> + +<p class="normal">Poor Willibald's head swam at the news. His bosom friend--to whom he +had always been attached with the fondest affection, and to whom he +still clung in spite of the harsh sentence which was being pronounced +upon him--was here in his immediate vicinity, and he was not to go to +see him--was not even to recognize him if chance should bring about a +meeting. Wallmoden especially impressed the latter upon his nephew, +who, quite stunned, promised obedience and silence, as well toward +Adelaide as to his fiancée and the Chief Forester; but he could not +understand the thing by a long shot yet. He needed time for that as for +everything.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The day upon which Arivana was to be presented had arrived. It was the +first work of a young author and quite unknown poet, but the +circumstances made it a professional event, which was viewed by +everybody with intensest interest.</p> + +<p class="normal">From the earliest hour the Court Theatre was filled to its utmost +capacity, and now the ducal couple also appeared with their guests to +occupy the large court box. Although not formally announced, the +performance had the character of a benefit, to which the brilliantly +lighted house and the rich costumes and uniforms bore witness.</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince Adelsberg, who appeared in the court box, was as excited as if +he had written the drama himself. Besides, he found himself in as rare +as joyful accord with his most gracious aunt, who had called him to +her, and was speaking about the work of the poet.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our young friend seems to have caprices like all poets," she remarked. +"What a notion to change the name of the heroine at the last moment!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It did not happen at exactly the last moment," replied Egon. "The +change was made at Rodeck. Hartmut suddenly took a notion that the name +'Ada' was too cold and pure for his fiery heroine, and so her name was +changed forthwith."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the name Ada stands on the programme," said the Princess.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, but it has been turned over to an entirely different character of +the drama, who appears only in one scene."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So Rojanow has made changes since his reading at Furstenstein?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only a few; the piece itself has remained quite the same, except the +changing of names and that short appearance of Ada; but I assure Your +Highness this scene which Hartmut has added to the play is the most +beautiful thing he has ever written."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, of course, you find everything beautiful which comes from the pen +of your friend," said the Princess, but the indulgent smile with which +she dismissed the Prince showed that she was of the same opinion.</p> + +<p class="normal">In one of the proscenium boxes were seen the Prussian Ambassador and +his wife--returned only a day or two from his vacation. His presence at +the theatre to-day was indeed not of his free will, for he would gladly +have remained away from this performance, but dared not out of +consideration for his position. The Duke himself had disposed of the +boxes, and had invited the foreign diplomats and their ladies; there +was no possibility of remaining away, particularly as Herr and Frau von +Wallmoden had, only a few hours previously, participated in a large +dinner at the ducal palace.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald, who had won permission from his uncle to at least get +acquainted with the work of his friend, sat in the parquette. Wallmoden +was not pleased with his presence here, but could not well forbid him +what he was going to do himself. Willy, who with difficulty had found a +seat, had not thought that a member of the opera could be employed in +the theatre, but when he opened the programme and came suddenly upon +the name of "Marietta Volkmar," whom he was to see to-night, he folded +the paper with a quick gesture and hid it in his pocket, regretting now +sorely having come to the theatre.</p> + +<p class="normal">The performance now commenced. The curtain rose and the first scene +passed quickly. It was a kind of preface, to acquaint the audience with +the strange, fantastic world into which they were to be introduced.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arivana, the ancient, sacred place of sacrifice, appeared in a +magnificent and appropriate setting. The most prominent character of +the piece, the young priest, who, in the fanaticism of his belief, +renounces utterly everything worldly and unholy, enters, and the vow +which removes him for time and eternity from the world, and binds him +body and soul to his deity, resounds in powerful, soulful verse.</p> + +<p class="normal">The vow was offered--the sacred fire flamed high, and the curtain fell.</p> + +<p class="normal">Applause, for which the Duke gave the signal, came from all sides. +Although it was assured that a work which was encouraged and favored so +by all should have a certain success, at least upon its opening night, +there was something else mingled in the applause. The audience already +felt that a poet spoke to them; his creation had perhaps needed the +approval of the Court, but now, since it was before them, it sustained +itself. One was attracted and held by the language--the characters--by +the theme of the drama, which already betrayed itself in its principal +features, and when the curtain rose afresh, intense, expectant silence +rested over the vast audience hall.</p> + +<p class="normal">And now the drama developed upon a background as rich and glowing in +color as were its language and its characters. The magnificent verdure, +the fairy-like splendor of its temples and palaces, the people with +their wild hatred and wilder love, and the severe, iron laws of their +belief--all, all, was fantastic and strange; but the feeling and acting +of these people were familiar to every one, for they stood under the +power which was the same centuries ago, as to-day, and which takes root +the same under the glowing sky of the tropics as in the cold North--the +passion and power of the human heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">This was indeed a "glowing doctrine," and it preached without restraint +the right of the passions to storm over law and institutions--over +oaths and vows--to reach their aims; a right such as Hartmut Rojanow +had understood and practised with his unreined will, who recognized no +law or duty, but who was all in all unto himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">The awakening of the passion--its powerful growth, its final +triumph--were all depicted in transporting language, in words and acts +which seemed to originate, now from the pure heights of the ideal, and +now from the depths of an abyss.</p> + +<p class="normal">Not in vain had the poet shrouded his characters in the veil of +Oriental legend, but under this veil he dared to speak and indorse that +which would hardly have been permitted him, and he did it with a +boldness which threw igniting sparks into the hearts of the listeners, +enchaining them demoniacally.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arivana's success was assured already at the second act. The work was +done by artists who belonged to the best on the stage, and they were +doing the best playing ever witnessed. Those taking the principal rôles +especially acted with the perfection of abandon which only real +enthusiasm can give.</p> + +<p class="normal">The heroine's name was no longer Ada. Another form now bore this +name--one who was strangely foreign to this excited picture of +passions; one of those tender, half-fairy-like beings with whom the +Indian legends inhabit the snow dwellings upon the icy heights of the +Himalayas--cold and pure as the eternal snow which shines upon them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Only in one single instance, in the parting scene, she floated on +spirit's wings through the stormy, excited gathering, remonstrating, +entreating, warning; and Egon was right. The words which the poet had +put into her lips were, perhaps, the most beautiful of the entire +drama. It burst suddenly like pure, heavenly light into the flaming +glow of a crater; but the scene was as short as beautiful. Quick as a +breath the apparition disappeared again into her snow dwelling, and +down yonder at the moonlit bank of the river floated the entrancing +song of the Hindoo girl--Marietta Volkmar's soft, swelling voice--under +the coaxing charm of which the cry of warning from the heights was +dispelled and unheeded.</p> + +<p class="normal">The last act brought the tragic end; the breaking of the doom over the +guilty pair; the death in the flames. This death was no atonement, but +a triumph--"a shining, divine death," and with the flames there also +flared up to heaven the demoniacal doctrine of the unconditional right +of the passions.</p> + +<p class="normal">The curtain sank for the last time, and the applause, which had +increased after every act, now grew to a storm. Usually the applause at +the court performances was kept within measured bounds, but to-day it +broke over the barriers. The flames of Arivana had kindled the +enthusiasm with which the whole house demanded the appearance of the +author.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut finally appeared--without embarrassment or timidity--glowing +with pride and joy; he bowed acknowledgment to the audience, which +today offered him a drink he had never yet tasted in his wildly tossed +life. They were intoxicating, these first sips from the cup of fame, +and with this intoxicating knowledge, the celebrated poet now looked up +to the proscenium box, whose occupants he had long ago recognized. He +did not find, however, what he sought. Adelaide was leaning back in her +chair, and her face was hidden by her open fan. He saw only the cold, +unmoved face of the man who had insulted him so deeply, and who was now +a witness of his triumph.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden understood only too well what the flash of those dark eyes +told him: "Do you dare yet to despise me?"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The following morning at an early hour Willibald von Eschenhagen walked +through the park, which he wanted to see--at least so he had told his +uncle.</p> + +<p class="normal">The large, forest-like park which was situated directly before the +city, was indeed worth seeing, but Willibald paid no attention to the +landscape, which did not look very inviting this bleak November day.</p> + +<p class="normal">Without a glance to right or left he walked quickly forward, taking +aimlessly now this and now that path, without noticing that he +repeatedly returned to the same spot. It seemed as if he wished with +this stormy walk to calm an inner unrest; he had really gone out to be +alone in the free, open air.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord tried to persuade himself that it was only the meeting +again with the friend of his youth that had taken him so completely out +of his composure. He had not heard anything of Hartmut for fully ten +years--did not even dare to mention him at home, and now he suddenly +saw the lost one again, with the halo of a growing poetical glory +around his head. Deeply and wonderfully changed in appearance and +manner, in spite of all he was still the Hartmut with whom he had +played his boyish games so often. He should have recognized him at the +first glance without having been prepared for the meeting.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden, on the contrary, seemed to be disagreeably surprised at +yesterday's success. He had hardly spoken during the drive home; his +wife as little. She had stated in the carriage that the hot air of the +theatre had given her an intolerable headache, and retired immediately +upon their arrival home. The Ambassador followed her example, and when +he gave his hand to his nephew, who wished him good-night, he said +curtly: "Our understanding remains the same, Willibald. You are to keep +silence toward everybody, whoever it be. Look out that you do not +betray yourself, for the name Rojanow will be in everybody's mouth +during the next few days. He has had luck again this time--like all +adventurers."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald had accepted the remark silently, but he still felt that it +was something else which gave the author of Arivana this success.</p> + +<p class="normal">Under other circumstances he would have considered this work as +something unheard of--incomprehensible--without understanding it, but, +strange to say, the understanding for it had dawned upon him yesterday.</p> + +<p class="normal">One could fall in love without the solemn approval of the respected +parents, guardians and relations; it happened not only in India, but it +happened here sometimes, too. One could also incautiously and hastily +burden oneself with a vow and break it--but what then?</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, then came the doom which Hartmut had pictured so horribly and yet +so fascinatingly. Willy was transporting in earnest the highly romantic +teachings of Arivana into Burgsdorf affairs, and the doom suddenly +assumed the features of Frau von Eschenhagen, who, in her wrath, was +surely worse than an angry caste of priests.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord heaved a deep sigh. He thought of the second act of the +play, when, from the circle of Hindoo girls who marched to the place of +sacrifice, a delicate figure had stepped forth, inexpressibly charming +in the white, flowing garments, and the wreath of flowers in her curls. +His eyes had hung riveted upon her, who appeared but twice or thrice +upon the stage, but after that her song had sounded from the banks of +the moonlit river. It was the same clear, sweet voice which had +enchanted the listener at Waldhofen, and now the old mischief, which he +had struggled down and thought forgotten, was back again. It stood +before him with giant size, and the worst of it was that he did not +even consider it longer as a mischief.</p> + +<p class="normal">The tireless walker now came for the third time to a small temple, open +in front, and in which stood a statue, while a bench in the background +invited one to rest.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald entered this time and sat down, less from a desire to rest +than to be able to follow his thoughts undisturbed.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was, perhaps, ten o'clock in the morning, and the paths were at this +hour almost deserted. Only a solitary pedestrian--a young man elegantly +dressed--walked leisurely and with apparent aimlessness along the +paths. He seemed to be expecting some one, for he glanced impatiently +now toward town, and now toward the Parkstrasse which bordered the park +for some distance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly he came toward the temple and took his stand behind it, where +he could keep the path in view without being seen.</p> + +<p class="normal">In about five minutes a young lady came from the city--a delicate, +graceful figure, in dark cloak and fur cape, with her fur cap pressed +closely down upon her curly head, and a muff in her hand, from which +peeped a roll of music. She was passing the temple quickly, when +suddenly she uttered an ejaculation of displeased surprise:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah--Count Westerburg!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man had approached and bowed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a happy coincidence! How could I hope that Fraulein Marietta +Volkmar would take so early a walk in the park!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Marietta stood still and measured the speaker from head to foot. Her +voice had a half-angry, half-contemptuous sound as she answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not believe in this coincidence, Herr Count. You cross my path +too often and persistently for that, although I have shown you +sufficiently how annoying your attentions are to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you are endlessly cruel to me," said the Count, reproachfully, +but with undeniable impertinence. "You do not accept my calls, refuse +my flowers and offerings, and do not even return my greetings when I +pass you by. What have I done to you? I have ventured to lay homage at +your feet in the form of jewels, which you returned to me----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"With the request that you discontinue such impertinences once for +all," interrupted the young girl vehemently. "I protest, besides, +against your continued advances. You have actually lain in wait for me +here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mon Dieu! I only wished to beg your pardon for that boldness," assured +Count Westerburg, apparently submissive, but at the same time he +stepped into the middle of the narrow path, so that it was impossible +to pass. "I might have known that you are unapproachable, for everybody +protests that none protects her name so jealously as you, beautiful +Marietta."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My name is Fraulein Volkmar!" cried Marietta, angrily. "Keep your +flattering speeches for those who allow such things to be told them. I +shall not do it, and if your advances do not cease I shall have to call +in protection."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whose protection?" sneered the Count. "Perhaps that of the old lady +with whom you live and who is always and everywhere at your side, +except in your walk to Professor Marani. The singing studies at the old +gentleman's are not dangerous, and that is the only walk you take +alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then you knew that I went to the Parkstrasse at this hour! Then it is +actually an attack! Please let me pass. I wish to go."</p> + +<p class="normal">She tried to pass by him, but the young man stretched out his arms so +that he filled the path.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will assuredly permit me to accompany you, mein Fraulein. Only +look, the path is quite lonely and deserted; there is not a soul +around. I really must offer you my escort."</p> + +<p class="normal">The path seemed, indeed, quite deserted, and another girl might have +been intimidated by this reference to her defencelessness, but the +little Marietta only drew herself up undauntedly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not dare to attempt to follow me by even a step." she cried in +deepest anger. "Your escort is just as unbearable to me as your +presence. How often must I tell you that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, so angry!" cried the Count with a malicious smile. "Well, I shall +not have ventured this attack for nothing. I shall at least repay +myself with a kiss from those charming, angry lips."</p> + +<p class="normal">He actually prepared to fulfil his threat, approaching the quickly +retreating girl, but at that moment, propelled by an awful blow, he +flew to one side and fell full length upon the damp ground, where he +remained lying in a very pitiable plight.</p> + +<p class="normal">Startled at this unexpected and stormy succor, Marietta turned around, +and her face, flushed from insult and anger, bore expression of great +amazement as she recognized her deliverer, who now stood at her side, +looking wrathfully at the form upon the ground, as if it were his +highest desire to quite finish him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr von Eschenhagen--you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">In the meantime Count Westerburg had struggled painfully to his feet +and now drew near his aggressor threateningly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How dare you! Who gives you the right----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I advise you to remain ten feet away from this young lady," +interrupted Willibald, placing himself in front of Marietta, "or you +will fly off again, and the second blow might not prove as soft as the +first."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Count, a slender, far from powerful man, measured the giant before +him, whose fist he had already felt, but one look was enough to +convince him that he would come out second best in an encounter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will give me satisfaction--if you are worth it," he hissed in a +half-choked voice. "Probably you do not know whom you have before +you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"An impudent fellow whom one chastises with pleasure," said Willy +stolidly. "Please remain standing where you are, or I will do it now. +My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen. I am lord of Burgsdorf, and can +be found at the mansion of the Prussian Ambassador if you should have +more to tell me---- If you please, mein Fraulein, you may trust +yourself unhesitatingly to my protection. I pledge myself that you will +not be molested further."</p> + +<p class="normal">And now something unprecedented, unheard of, happened. Herr von +Eschenhagen, without stammering, without showing embarrassment of any +kind, offered his arm with a genuinely chivalrous movement to the young +lady, and carried her off without concerning himself further about the +Count.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Marietta had accepted the proffered arm without speaking a word until, +having reached a considerable distance, she commenced, with a timidity +otherwise foreign to her manner: "Herr von Eschenhagen----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mein Fraulein."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I--I am very grateful for your protection, but the Count--you have +insulted him--even with a blow. He will challenge you and you will have +to accept it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, with the greatest pleasure," said Willy, and his face was +beaming as if the prospect gave him unmixed delight.</p> + +<p class="normal">His awkward, embarrassed manner had suddenly disappeared; he felt +himself a hero and deliverer, and enjoyed the new position immensely.</p> + +<p class="normal">Marietta looked at him in speechless amazement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is awful that this should happen for my sake!" she commenced +again, "and that it should be just you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps that is not agreeable to you," said the young lord, who in his +present elated mood took offence at the last remark. "But Fraulein, in +such a case one has no choice. Forced by necessity, you had to accept +me as protector, even if I did not stand very high in your esteem."</p> + +<p class="normal">A burning blush spread over Marietta's face at the remembrance of that +hour when she had poured out her supreme contempt on the man who now +took her part so gallantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought only of Toni and her father," she returned in a low voice. +"I am blameless in this matter, but if I should be the cause of your +being torn from your fiancée----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Toni must accept it then as providential," said Willy, upon whom +the mention of his betrothed made little impression. "One can +lose his life anywhere, and one must not always expect the worst +consequences----Where shall I carry you, Fraulein? To the Parkstrasse? +I believe I heard that you wished to go there."</p> + +<p class="normal">She shook her head quickly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no! I intended going to Professor Marani, who is teaching me a new +rôle, but I cannot sing now--it is impossible. Let us look for a +carriage; we may find one over there. I would like to go home."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald turned his steps at once in the appointed direction, and they +walked on silently to the edge of the park, where several cabs were +standing.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl stopped here and looked anxiously and entreatingly at +her companion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr von Eschenhagen must it really be? Cannot the matter be smoothed +over?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hardly: I have given the Count a heavy blow and called him an impudent +fellow, and shall stand to that, of course, if it should come to any +explanation; but do not worry about that. The affair will probably be +settled with a few scratches by tomorrow or the day after."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And must I remain two or three days in this anxious uncertainty? Will +you not at least send me word about it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald looked into the dark, tearful eyes, and with that look there +came into his eyes that strange sudden glow as on that day when he +heard the voice of the "<i>singvögelchen</i>" for the first time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If everything passes off happily I shall come myself and bring you +word," he replied. "May I?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, certainly, certainly. But if an accident occurs--if you should +fall?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then keep me in better remembrance than heretofore, mein Fraulein," +said Willibald, earnestly and cordially. "You must have considered me a +great coward--oh, do not say anything! You were right. I felt it myself +bitterly enough--but it was my mother whom I was accustomed to obey, +and who loves me very much. But you shall see now that I know how a man +must act when a defenceless girl is being insulted in his presence. I +will now erase, if need be, with my blood, that bad hour."</p> + +<p class="normal">Without giving her time to reply he called one of the waiting cabs, +opened the door, and gave the driver the street and number which +Marietta had given him. She entered the carriage and stretched out her +little hand to him once more. He held it for a moment, then the young +girl threw herself back upon the cushion with a stifled sob, and the +carriage rolled away.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willy followed it with his eyes until nothing more could be seen of it, +then he drew himself up and said with a kind of grim satisfaction: "Now +take care, Herr Count! It will be a real pleasure to me now to fire +until sight and hearing leave me."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Twilight came on early this bleak November day, and the Adelsberg +palace was already lighted when the Prince, returning from a short +drive, reached the portal.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is Herr Rojanow in his rooms?" he inquired of the servant who hastened +up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At your service, Your Highness," the man replied, bowing low.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Order the carriage at nine o'clock. We drive to the ducal palace."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon mounted the stairs and entered the apartments of his friend, which +adjoined his own on the first floor, and which, like all the rest of +the princely house, were furnished with antique splendor.</p> + +<p class="normal">A lamp burned upon the table of the sitting-room. Hartmut lay stretched +upon a lounge in a position indicative of utter weariness and +exhaustion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you resting upon your laurels?" asked the Prince, laughing and +drawing near. "I cannot blame you, for you have not had a moment's +peace to-day. It is really a rather trying business to be a new rising +star in the poetical firmament; nerve is required for it. The people +actually fight each other for the honor of being allowed to tell you +flatteries. You have held a grand reception today."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and now we have to go to the Court besides," said Hartmut in a +weary voice. The prospect seemed to have no charm for him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We must, indeed. The illustrious ladies and gentlemen wish also to +bring their homage to the poet--my most gracious aunt at their head. +You know she is a kind of <i>bel-esprit</i>, and believes to have found a +kindred soul in you. Thank God, she does not order me to her side so +continually, and perhaps through this she will forget those unfortunate +schemes for my marriage. But you seem to be very unappreciative of the +ducal favors which rained upon you yesterday. What is the matter? You +hardly answer. Are you not well?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am tired. I wish I could escape all this noise and flee to the quiet +of Rodeck."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rodeck! Ah, it must be charming there at present, with the November +fogs, and the wet, leafless forests! Brrr! a real spook's haunt!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless, I have a real longing for that gloomy solitude, and I +shall go there soon for a few days. I hope you have no objections?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have very many objections to it," exclaimed Egon, indignantly. "What +notion is this, I beg of you? Now, when the whole town lifts the poet +of Arivana upon the shield, will you withdraw your honored presence and +escape all the triumphs and attentions to bury yourself alive in a +haunted little forest nook, which is only bearable in sunshine! +Everybody will find it incomprehensible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't care. I need solitude now. I go to Rodeck."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon shook his head. Although he was accustomed to seeing his friend +act in this domineering, inconsiderate manner whenever the notion +seized him, and had himself spoiled him in this respect with all his +might, the present idea seemed too preposterous.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe my most gracious aunt is right," he said half reproachfully, +half jestingly. "She remarked yesterday at the theatre, 'Our young poet +has caprices like all of his class.' I think so, too. What is the +matter now, really, Hartmut? Yesterday and to-day you beamed with +triumph, and now I have left you hardly an hour, when I find you in a +regular attack of melancholy. Have the papers annoyed you? Perhaps it +is some malicious, envious critic?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He pointed to the writing table, where the evening papers lay.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no," returned Rojanow quickly. But he turned his head so that his +face was in shadow. "The papers contain only general remarks so far, +and they are all flattering. You know that I am subject to such moods, +which often overcome me without cause."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I know that, but now that good luck overwhelms you on all sides, +those moods should absent themselves. But you really look haggard--that +comes from the excitement through which both of us have passed during +these last few weeks."</p> + +<p class="normal">He bent over his friend with concern, and Hartmut, in rising regret for +his brusque manner, stretched out his hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me, Egon. You must have patience with me--it will pass off."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope so, for I want to do proud with my poet to-night. But I will go +now, so that you can rest. Do not let anybody disturb you. We have +still three hours before we have to go."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince left the room. He had not seen the bitter expression +trembling around Hartmut's mouth when he spoke of his overwhelming good +fortune, and yet he had spoken the truth. Fame was happiness--perhaps +the highest in life--and to-day had confirmed the triumph of yesterday, +until suddenly, an hour ago, a sharp discord had fallen into the +flattering tune.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young poet had scanned the papers which he found upon his table on +his return. They did not contain explicit remarks about Arivana, but +recognized unanimously the great success and powerful impression of the +work, and promised detailed criticism the next day.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly, in turning to the last page, Hartmut came upon a name, at the +sight of which intense, anxious surprise overwhelmed him.</p> + +<p class="normal">The next moment, however, he recognized that he was not the one +concerned in the article. It stated that the last journey of the +Prussian Ambassador to Berlin seemed to have been of greater importance +than was at first supposed. In an audience with the Duke immediately +after his return, Herr von Wallmoden had apparently brought some very +important things to light; and now, a high-standing Prussian officer, +who was the bearer of important messages to His Highness, was expected. +It doubtless concerned military matters, and Colonel Hartmut von +Falkenried would arrive in a few days.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut dropped the paper as if it had suddenly become red-hot iron. +His father would come to this place and would certainly hear everything +from Wallmoden--<i>must</i> hear everything. The chance of meeting was then +very probable.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When you shall have gained a great, proud future, approach him again +and ask if he still dares to despise you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Zalika had whispered it to her son when he struggled against +flight--against the breaking of his word of honor. Now the beginning of +his future was made. The name Rojanow already bore the laurel of the +poet, and with that the whole past was erased. It should be--it must +be! This conviction flashed in the glance which Hartmut had thrown so +triumphantly up to the Ambassador's box yesterday.</p> + +<p class="normal">But now, when it meant the meeting of his father's eyes, the defiant +one trembled. Those eyes were the only thing upon earth that he feared.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut was half decided to go to Rodeck and return only when he heard +through the papers that "the high-standing officer" had left the +Residenz.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yet something kept him here--a secret but burning longing. Perhaps the +hour of reconciliation had now come when the poet's fame rose so +brilliantly; perhaps Falkenried would see now that such a power needed +liberty and life to develop, and would pardon the unfortunate, boyish +folly which, with his views, had hurt him so deeply.</p> + +<p class="normal">Was he not his child? his only son, whom he had embraced with such +passionate tenderness that night at Burgsdorf? At this remembrance a +longing for those all-powerful arms, for the home which should no +longer be lost to him, for the whole boyhood which, although +constrained, had yet been so happy, pure and guiltless, flooded +Hartmut's inmost heart.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">At this moment the door opened and the butler entered, bearing upon a +waiter a card. He presented it to Hartmut, who refused it with an +impatient gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did I not tell you that I did not wish to see any one else to-day? I +wish to remain undisturbed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I told the gentleman so," replied the servant, "but he begged me to at +least give you his name--Willibald von Eschenhagen."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut started suddenly from his reclining position. He could not +believe that he had heard aright.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the gentleman's name?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Von Eschenhagen--here is the card."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, let him enter, instantly!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The servant departed, and Willibald entered the next moment, but +remained standing at the door in uncertainty. Hartmut had sprung up and +looked toward him. Yes, there were the same familiar features--the +dear, well-known face, the honest blue eyes of his friend, and with the +passionate cry, "Willy--my dear old Willy, is it you! You come to me?" +he threw himself stormily upon his breast.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord, who had no idea how strangely his appearance at this +moment fitted into his friend's dreams of his youth, was most perplexed +over this reception. He remembered how domineering Hartmut had always +been to him, and how he had made him feel his mental inferiority at +every opportunity. He had thought yesterday that the highly honored +author of Arivana would be still more imperious and haughty, and now he +found an overflowing tenderness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you glad, then, at my coming, Hartmut?" he asked, still somewhat +doubtful. "I was almost afraid it would not be acceptable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not acceptable, when I see you now after a lapse of ten long years!" +cried Hartmut reproachfully, and he drew his friend down beside him, +questioning him and covering him so with affection that Willy lost all +embarrassment and also returned to the old familiarity. He said that he +was in town for only three days and that he was on his way to +Furstenstein.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, yes; you are betrothed," joined in Rojanow. "I heard at Rodeck who +was to be the Chief Forester's son-in-law, and have also seen Fraulein +von Schonan. Let me congratulate you with all my heart."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald accepted the good wishes with a peculiar face, and looked to +the floor as he replied, half audibly: "Yes, but to tell the truth, +mamma made the engagement."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should have known that," said Hartmut, laughing, "but you have at +least said 'Yes' without being forced?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Willy did not answer. He studied the carpet intently and suddenly asked +quite disconnectedly: "Hartmut, how do you do when you compose poetry?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"How do I do?" Hartmut with an effort suppressed his laughter. "Really +that is not easy to tell. I do not believe that I can explain it +sufficiently."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, it is a funny condition to make poetry," assented the young man +with a sad shake of the head. "I experienced it last night when I +returned from the theatre."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! You compose poetry?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And such poetry!" cried Willy in high satisfaction, but added in +somewhat subdued tones: "Only I cannot find rhymes, and it also sounds +quite different from your verses. To tell the truth, it did not run +right, and I want to ask you how you do the affair. You know it is not +to be anything grand like your Arivana--only just a little poem."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course to 'her,'" finished Hartmut.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, to her," assented the young lord with a deep breath, and now his +listener laughed aloud.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a model son, Willy, one must confess. It does happen sometimes +that one is betrothed at paternal or maternal command, but you +dutifully fall in love with your bride-elect besides, and even compose +poetry to her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is not to the right one," exclaimed Willibald suddenly, with +such a strained expression that Rojanow looked at him in perplexity. He +really believed that his friend was not in his senses; and Willibald +must also have felt that he was making a peculiar impression. He +therefore began an explanation, but anticipated himself so much and was +so vague, that the affair became only the more tangled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In fact, I have had an encounter with a fellow this morning who dared +to insult a young lady--Fraulein Marietta Volkmar, from the Court +Theatre. I knocked him to the ground and I would do it again to him or +to anybody who gets too near Fraulein Volkmar."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stretched out his arm so threateningly that Hartmut caught it +quickly and restrained him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I do not intend to get near her--you can spare me for the +present. But what is Marietta Volkmar to you--the little mirror of +virtue of our opera--who has so far been considered unapproachable?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut, I request that you speak of this lady with reverence. In +short, this Count Westerburg has challenged me. I am going to exchange +shots with him, and hope to give him a good reminder."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, you really are making good progress in romance," said Hartmut, +who listened with ever-increasing interest. "You have been here only +three days and have commenced with a quarrel which ends in a challenge, +and are the knight and protector of a young singer--have a duel for her +sake. Willy, for heaven's sake, what will your mother say?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"This concerns an affair of honor, and my mother cannot interfere +here," declared Willy with a really heroic effect, "but now I must get +a second here, where I am quite a stranger and do not know a soul. +Uncle Herbert must not hear anything about it, of course, or he would +interfere with the police. So I decided to come to you and ask you if +you would render me this service."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was what brought you," said Rojanow, in a tone of painful +disappointment. "I really believed old friendship had done it; but, +nevertheless, of course, I am at your command. What weapons does the +challenge demand?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pistols!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, you know what to do with them. We practiced often enough with a +target at Burgsdorf, and you were a good shot. I shall look up the +second of your opponent to-morrow morning and send you word then. I +have to do that in writing, as I do not enter the house of Herr von +Wallmoden."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willy only nodded. He thought Wallmoden's hostility was being +reciprocated, but deemed it best not to make any inquiries upon this +point.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well, just write me," he replied. "Arrange things as seems best +to you; I shall be satisfied with everything; I have no experience in +such things. Here is the address of the second, and now I must go. I +have several things to put in order yet, in case the worst happens."</p> + +<p class="normal">He arose and extended his hand to his friend in farewell, but Hartmut +took no notice of it. His eyes were fixed on the floor, as he said in +low, hesitating tones: "One thing more, Willy. Burgsdorf is so near +Berlin. Perhaps you often see----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whom?" asked Willibald, as Hartmut paused.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My--my father."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord became visibly embarrassed at the question. He had +avoided the mention of Falkenried during the conversation, but did not +seem to be aware of his near arrival.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," he said, finally; "we hardly ever see the Colonel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But does he not come to Burgsdorf as of old?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, he has become very unsocial. But I happened to see him in Berlin +when I went to meet Uncle Herbert."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And how does he look? Has he aged any during these last years?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course he has aged; you would hardly recognize him with his white, +hair."</p> + +<p class="normal">"White hair!" Hartmut burst forth. "He is hardly fifty-two years old. +Has he been ill?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not that I know of. It came quite suddenly--in a few months--at the +time when he asked for his discharge."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut blanched, and his eyes were strained fixedly upon the speaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My father sought a discharge? He who is a soldier through, body and +soul; to whom his vocation---- In what year was it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It did not come to an issue," said Willy, pacifyingly; "they did not +let him go, but removed him to a distant garrison, and he has been in +the Ministry of War for three years."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But he wanted to leave--in what year?" panted Rojanow, in a sinking +voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, at the time of your disappearance. He believed his honor +demanded it, and, Hartmut, you ought not to have done that to your +father--not that. He almost died from it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut made no answer, no attempt to defend himself; but his breast +heaved in deep, unsteady breaths.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will not speak of it," said Willibald, stopping short; "it cannot +be changed now. I shall expect your letter to-morrow. Get everything in +order. Good night."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut did not seem to hear the words--did not notice the departure of +his friend. He stood there immovable, with eyes on the floor, and only +after Willibald had long disappeared did he straighten himself slowly +and draw his hand across his brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He wished to leave!" he murmured; "to leave the army because he +thought his honor demanded it. No--no, not yet. I must go to Rodeck."</p> + +<p class="normal">The honored poet, upon whose brow Fate was pressing the first laurel +wreath--who only yesterday had challenged the whole world in this +victorious knowledge--dared not meet the eye of his father. He fled +into solitude.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">In one of the quieter streets, whose modest but pleasant houses were +mostly surrounded by gardens, Marietta Volkmar lived with an old +lady--a distant relative of her grandfather--who was alone, but willing +and glad to be protection and company to the young singer.</p> + +<p class="normal">The two ladies led a life about which the ever-busy tongue of gossip +could find nothing to say, and were much beloved by other members of +the house. Fraulein Marietta, with her pleasant, happy face, was an +especial favorite, and when her clear voice rang through the house +everybody stopped to listen. But the <i>singvögelchen</i> had grown mute in +the past two days, and showed pale cheeks and eyes red from weeping. +The people shook their heads and could not understand it until they +heard from old Fraulein Berger that Dr. Volkmar was sick, and his +granddaughter was worried about him, but could not obtain leave of +absence without a more forcible reason.</p> + +<p class="normal">This was, indeed, no falsehood, for the old doctor had really been +suffering for several days from a severe cold, but it offered no +occasion for serious concern. It was only a plausible explanation of +Marietta's changed demeanor, which was noticed even by her colleagues +at the theatre.</p> + +<p class="normal">The singer was standing at the window, gazing steadily out, in her +plain but cosily furnished sitting room, having just returned from a +rehearsal, while Fraulein Berger sat at a little table with her +needlework, casting anxious glances at her protegée.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, dear child, do not take this affair so sorely to heart," she +admonished. "You will wear yourself out with this anxiety and +excitement. Why anticipate the worst at once?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Marietta did not turn. She was painfully pale, and a suppressed sob was +in her voice as she replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is now the third day, and yet I cannot learn anything. Oh, it is +awful to have to wait like this, hour after hour, for bad news."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But why must it be bad news?" the old lady spoke consolingly. "Herr +von Eschenhagen was still well and bright yesterday afternoon. I +inquired about him at your special request. He went to drive with Herr +and Frau von Wallmoden. The affair has probably been settled amicably."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should have heard of it," said the young girl, in a heartbroken way. +"He promised me, and he would have kept his word, I know. If misfortune +has really happened to him--if he has fallen--I believe I could not +live!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The last words were spoken so passionately that Fraulein Berger looked +at the speaker in dismay.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do be reasonable, Marietta," she entreated. "How are you responsible +for an impertinent man insulting you, or the betrothed of your friend +stepping in to your rescue? You really could not act more despairingly +if your own betrothed stood before the pistol."</p> + +<p class="normal">The cheeks, just now so pale, flushed redly, and Marietta turned to the +window with a quick gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not understand, auntie," she said, in a low voice; "you do not +know how much love and kindness have been shown me in the house of the +Chief Forester--how earnestly Toni begged my forgiveness when she +learned how deeply her future mother-in-law had offended me. What will +she think of me when she hears that her betrothed has been in a duel +for my sake? What will Frau von Eschenhagen say?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, they will at least be open to the conviction that you are quite +innocent in this affair, which, if it ends well, they will not hear of. +I do not recognize or understand you in all this. You used to laugh +away every care and anxiety, but this time you exaggerate it in a +really incomprehensible manner. You have scarcely eaten or drunk in two +days in your excitement; you must not sit at my table to-day as you did +yesterday and the day before. I tell you that; and now I will look +after the dinner."</p> + +<p class="normal">The kind old lady arose and left the room to prepare some extra dainty +with which to tempt her protegée's fleeting appetite.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was right; the merry, bright Marietta would not now be recognized. +Beyond a doubt it gave a painful, depressed feeling to be brought +before the people of Furstenstein in so bad a light through that +occurrence in the park, and even here in town her name, so carefully +protected, might suffer if something of it should be heard; but, +strange to say, these possibilities remained in the background because +of a fear which grew with every hour and was hardly to be borne any +longer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"With my blood, if it must be."</p> + +<p class="normal">Unconsciously she whispered Willibald's last words, and pressed her hot +brow against the window pane. "Oh, my God, not that!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly at the street corner a figure appeared, which attracted +attention on account of its unusual size. He came nearer with rapid +steps and looked searchingly at the house numbers.</p> + +<p class="normal">With a suppressed cry of joy, Marietta sprang from the window. She had +recognized Herr von Eschenhagen. She did not wait until he pulled the +bell, but hastened to open the door. Tears shimmered yet in her eyes, +but her voice was jubilant as she cried: "You come at last! God be +praised!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, here I am, well and whole," assured Willibald, whose face lighted +up at his reception.</p> + +<p class="normal">Neither knew how they reached the sitting room. To the young man it +seemed as if a small, soft hand had been laid upon his arm and had +drawn him along, all unresisting. But when they stood before each +other, Marietta noticed that a broad, black bandage was around his +right hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mon Dieu, you are injured!" she cried in fear.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A slight scratch--not worth mentioning," Willibald said merrily, +waving the hand. "I have given the Count a more severe reminder, but it +is also only a glance shot in the shoulder, and not in the least +dangerous to his precious life. That man could not even shoot right."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then you did have the duel? I knew it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This morning at 8 o'clock. But you need fear nothing more, mein +Fraulein. You see everything has passed off well."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young singer drew a deep breath, as if relieved of a mountain load.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen. No--no, do not refuse my thanks. +You have endangered your life for my sake. I thank you a thousand +times."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is no cause, Fraulein; I did it gladly," said Willibald, +cordially. "But, since I have stood before the pistol now for your +sake, you must permit me to bring you a little token of remembrance. +You will not throw it at my feet again?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He somewhat awkwardly--because of his left hand--drew out from his +pocket a white tissue paper, and, opening it, disclosed a full-blown +rose with two buds.</p> + +<p class="normal">Marietta dropped her eyes in confusion. Mutely she accepted the flowers +and fastened one of them at her throat. Then she stretched out her hand +to the giver just as mutely.</p> + +<p class="normal">He fully understood the apology.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course you are accustomed to different floral offerings," he said, +apologetically. "I hear a great deal of the homage people pay you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl smiled, but with a more pathetic than happy expression.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have been a witness to what this homage is at times, and it was +not the first time it has happened. The gentlemen seem to think they +are permitted to venture anything when one is on the stage. Believe me, +Herr von Eschenhagen, it is often hard to bear this lot, for which I am +envied by so many."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald listened intently to these words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hard to bear? I thought you loved your vocation above everything, and +would not leave it at any price."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, surely I love it; but I had not thought that so much bitterness +and hardship were connected with it. My teacher, Professor Marani, +says: 'One must rise as on eagle's wings; then all the low and vulgar +will remain far below.' He may be right, but one must be an eagle for +that, and I am only a '<i>singvögelchen</i>,' as my grandfather calls me, +which has nothing but its voice and cannot rise so high. The critics +often tell me that fire and strength are wanting in my rendering. I +feel myself that I have no real dramatic talent. I can only sing, and +would rather do that at home in our green forests than here in this +golden cage."</p> + +<p class="normal">The voice of the usually bright, cheery girl sounded full of deeply +suppressed emotion. This last occurrence had shown her again very +plainly her unprotected position, and now her heart opened to the man +who had interfered so bravely for her.</p> + +<p class="normal">He listened in rapt attention and seemed to read the words from her +lips, but at this truly sad report his face beamed as if something very +joyful was being related, and now he interrupted vehemently:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You long to get away from here? You would like to leave the stage?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Marietta laughed aloud, in spite of her sorrow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I really do not think of that, for what should I do then? My +grandfather saved and economized for years to make my education as a +singer possible, and it would be poor gratitude if I should be a burden +to him in his old age. He does not know that at times his little +<i>singvogel</i> longs for its nest, or that life is made hard for her here. +I am not usually without courage. I persevere and stand strong whenever +it must be so. Do not let these, my laments, be heard at Furstenstein. +You are going there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A shadow passed over the beaming face of young Eschenhagen, and he was +the one now to lower his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I, indeed, go to Furstenstein this afternoon," he replied, in a +strangely suppressed tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, I ask this one thing more. You must tell your betrothed +everything--you hear?--everything. We owe it to her. I shall write her +to-day about the occurrence, and you will confirm my letter with your +words--yes?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald raised his eyes slowly and looked at the speaker. "You are +right, Fraulein. Toni must hear everything the whole truth. I had +already decided on that before I came here; but it will be a hard hour +for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, surely not," said Marietta, encouragingly. "Toni is good and full +of trust. She will believe your word and my word, that we are both +innocent in this affair."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I am not without guilt--at least toward my bride-elect," declared +Willibald, earnestly. "Do not look at me in such affright. You must +hear it later, anyway, and it is perhaps better that I tell you myself. +I am going to Furstenstein only to ask Toni"--he stopped short and drew +a deep breath--"to give me back my troth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For heaven's sake, why?" cried the young girl, horrified at this +explanation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why? Because it would be wrong should I offer Toni my hand and +stand with her at the altar, with my heart as it is now. Because +only now do I see what the principal thing is for betrothal and +marriage--because----" He did not finish, but his eyes spoke so plainly +that Marietta fully understood the rest.</p> + +<p class="normal">Her face suddenly colored crimson. She drew back and made a violently +repellent gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr von Eschenhagen, be silent; do not speak another word."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is not my fault," Willibald continued, in spite of the command. +"I have struggled manfully and tried truly to keep my promise during +the whole time I was at Burgsdorf. I believed it would be possible; but +then I came here and saw you again in 'Arivana' on that evening, and +knew that the struggle had been in vain. I had not forgotten you, +Fraulein Marietta--not for an hour--as often as I had tried to make +myself believe it, and I shall not forget you all my life long. I shall +confess this to Toni openly, and shall also tell my mother when I +return to her."</p> + +<p class="normal">The confession was made. The young lord, who could not manage the first +proposal at Furstenstein alone, but had to be helped by his mother, now +spoke as warmly and heartily--as openly and as truly--as a man must +speak in such an hour. He had learned it suddenly, and with the +helplessness which he shook off with such decision, there seemed to +fall off, too, all his awkwardness and ridiculous manner.</p> + +<p class="normal">He quickly approached Marietta, who had fled to the window, and his +firm voice grew unsteady as he continued: "And now one question. You +looked so pale when you opened the door for me, and your eyes spoke of +tears. The affair may have been painful and mortifying to you; I can +understand that, but did you also fear a little for my welfare?"</p> + +<p class="normal">No answer, but low sobs.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did you fear for me? Only a little 'yes,' Marietta. You have no idea +how happy you would make me."</p> + +<p class="normal">He bent low over the young girl, who now slowly raised the small, bowed +head. In her dark eyes there glowed a spark as of secret happiness. The +answer was almost inaudible.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? Ach, I have almost <i>died</i> of fear these last two days."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald gave a joyful exclamation and drew her to his breast; but +only for a moment, then she struggled from his embrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No--not now. Go now, please."</p> + +<p class="normal">He released her at once and stepped back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right, Marietta; not yet. But, after I have freed myself, I +shall come again and ask for another 'yes.' Farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">He hastened away before Marietta had scarce recovered control of +herself. She was aroused by the voice of Fraulein Berger, who, +unnoticed by the two, had stood upon the threshold of the adjoining +room for several moments, and who now approached in a state of horror.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Child, for mercy's sake, what does it mean? Do you not consider----"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl did not let her finish, but threw both arms around her +neck and wept passionately.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, now I know why I was so enraged at the time he suffered his mother +to insult me. It hurt me so inexpressibly to believe him a coward; I +have loved him from the first."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">In the house of the Prussian Ambassador everything was in a state of +preparation for the winter festivities. When Wallmoden had entered his +present position, in the spring, society was already scattered in all +directions for the summer, and immediately afterward occurred the sad +event which had put an end to all festivities for them. These causes, +however, were done with now.</p> + +<p class="normal">The many halls and apartments of the Ambassador's palace had been +furnished with such splendor as Herbert's circumstances, made brilliant +by his marriage, permitted; and it was his intention to have as +magnificent a home as was possible to obtain. Their first grand +reception was to take place next week, and in the meantime numerous +calls were being made and returned.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Ambassador was also much occupied with his official duties, +and, besides, there was one thing which ruined his peace of mind +completely--the success of Arivana. If he had had doubts before about +opposing Rojanow's publicity, it had now become quite impossible. The +"adventurer" was raised upon the shield and his poetical spirit was +being praised everywhere. The Court and society generally could not be +forced now to drop him without subjecting themselves to mortification, +and it was questionable, besides, if they would drop him at all, since +only hints and vague remarks could be given. That grand success had +made Hartmut almost unapproachable.</p> + +<p class="normal">To add to the embarrassment of the Ambassador's position, Falkenried's +arrival was expected in the near future, from whom the truth could not +be kept, for fear he should hear it from outsiders.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel, of whose present trip nothing was known when Wallmoden had +seen him in Berlin a short time ago, would be here in a few days and +would make his headquarters at the Ambassador's palace, since he was no +stranger to Adelaide. She and her brother had, in a measure, grown up +under his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">When, ten years ago, the then Major Falkenried had been removed to the +distant province, he had been stationed at a post in the small town +lying in the immediate vicinity of the great Stahlberg works and +dependent almost entirely upon them. The new Major was considered an +excellent soldier, but a pronounced man-hater, who enjoyed his duties +only, occupying all his spare time with military studies, and who hated +everything that came under the head of society.</p> + +<p class="normal">As he was alone, he was excused from keeping an open house, and he +exhibited himself only at houses where his position imperatively +demanded it. Such consideration had to be shown the great manufacturer, +who was the leader of the whole vicinity, and who received and +entertained as guests the first and highest personages.</p> + +<p class="normal">Stahlberg had been the only one whom the military man approached. +Although the grave and gloomy reticence of the Major excluded real +friendship, yet the two men felt the highest esteem for each other, and +the Stahlberg home was the only place where Falkenried appeared +occasionally of his own free will.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had had intercourse there for years and seen the two children grow +up. Therefore Wallmoden was the more offended that Falkenried did not +attend his wedding, but excused himself through pressure of official +duties.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide knew little or nothing about the life of the Colonel. She +considered him childless and heard only from her husband that he had +been married early in life, but had been separated from his wife and +was now a widower.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was about a week after the return of the Wallmodens that +Falkenried's arrival was announced to the young wife as she sat one day +at her writing table. She threw aside her pen, arose quickly and +hastened to her friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are heartily welcome, Colonel Falkenried. We received your +telegram, and Herbert intended to meet you at the depot, but just at +this hour he has an audience with the Duke, and is still at the palace, +so we could only send the carriage."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her greeting had all the cordiality which an old friend of her father's +could wish, but Falkenried's response was not of a like kind. Coldly +and seriously he accepted the offered hand and the invitation to be +seated, as he thanked her for her welcome.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel had indeed changed, so much as scarcely to be recognized. +Were it not for the tall, muscular form and strong, firm carriage, one +could have taken him for an old man. His hair--the hair of a man barely +fifty years old--was white as snow, the brow furrowed deeply, and sharp +lines were buried in the face, making it look ten years older. The +features, once so expressive, appeared fixed and immovable now; the +entire appearance and bearing bespoke stern, impenetrable reticence.</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine's words, "The man is turned to stone," were only too true. One +involuntarily gained the impression that he had become a total stranger +to the world, and that all mankind had died off for aught that moved +him--nothing was left except the duties of his vocation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps I have disturbed you, Ada," he said, using her old home name +as he glanced at the writing table where lay a half-finished letter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is plenty of time for that," replied the young wife, lightly. "I +was only writing to Eugene."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah? I am the bearer of love from your brother. I saw him the day +before yesterday."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I knew that he intended going to Berlin and to see you. He has not +seen you for nearly two years now, and I, too, saw but little of you +during our journey through Berlin. We hoped you would come to +Burgsdorf, where we stayed for a few days, and I believe that Regine +felt very hurt that you did not accept her invitation for this time, +either."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel looked to the floor; he knew why he avoided Burgsdorf and +its reminiscences. He had hardly been there twice since his return to +the Capital.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Regine knows how economical I have to be with my time," he replied, +evasively. "But, to return to your brother, Ada; I should like to speak +to you, and therefore I am glad to find you alone. What is the +difficulty between Eugene and his brother-in-law? Has something +happened to alienate them?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A certain embarrassment was visible in Adelaide's face at the question, +but she answered lightly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing especial; the two are not very congenial."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not very congenial? Wallmoden is nearly forty years his senior, and +his guardian besides. Your brother will not be of age for several +years. In such case the younger one must submit unconditionally."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; but Eugene, although as good as gold, is only too often +rash and passionate as he has always been."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Alas, so he is. He will have to change considerably if he wishes to +fill, half as well as his father did, the important and responsible +position which awaits him. But something else seems to be the trouble +here. I made a casual remark about your marriage, Ada--which event, to +tell the truth, surprised me, although I am on friendly terms with your +husband--and said that I had not thought you had so much ambition; but +at this Eugene burst out and defended you in the most passionate +manner, and spoke of a sacrifice which his sister had made for him. In +short, he allowed himself to be carried away into words and hints which +surprised me in the highest degree."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not have paid any attention to it," said Adelaide, with +visible emotion. "A young, hot head takes everything tragically. What +did he tell you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In fact, nothing definite. He seems to have given you his word to keep +silent and not speak without your permission; but he seems to almost +hate his brother-in-law. What does all this mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife was silent; the conversation seemed painful to her in +the highest degree.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried looked at her searchingly as he continued: "You know it is +not my way to inquire into the secrets of others. I take but little +interest in the doings of people around me, but my friend's honor comes +into consideration here; those remarks contain a crimination. Of +course, I could not allow that, but when I remonstrated with your +brother and threatened to speak to Wallmoden about it, he said: 'My +Herr brother-in-law will explain the affair diplomatically to you. He +has proved a very diplomat in it all. Ask Ada if you wish to learn the +truth.' I ask you first, therefore; but if you cannot and will not +answer, then I must speak to your husband, from whom I cannot keep such +remarks."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke in a cold and measured tone, without any excitement. The +affair, apparently, caused him no interest whatever. He considered it +necessary to take it up solely because a point of honor came in +question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not speak to Herbert about it, I beg of you," interrupted Adelaide, +quickly. "I shall have to explain to you, since Eugene allowed himself +to be carried away so far; but he has taken the matter too hard from +the beginning. There is nothing dishonorable about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope so, since Wallmoden is concerned," said the Colonel, with +emphasis.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The young Baroness lowered her voice and evaded the eyes of her +listener as she commenced.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know that my engagement happened a year ago at Florence. My father +was even then very ailing, and the physicians desired that he should +remain in Italy during the winter. We went to Florence, intending to +stay two months, and then make further plans according to the wish of +the invalid. My brother had accompanied us, but was to return home at +the beginning of winter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We took a villa outside the city, and, of course, lived quite secluded. +Eugene saw Italy for the first time, and it was so mournful for him to +sit day after day in the lonely sick room, that I seconded his request +to go to Rome for a short time. He finally received permission. Oh, if +I had never done it! But I could not know how deeply his inexperience +would involve him then."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That means that he followed up adventures, although his father was at +death's door."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not judge so harshly. My brother was scarcely twenty years old +then, and had always lived under the eyes of a loving but very strict +father. The short freedom proved dangerous to him. The young German, +who had no knowledge of the world whatever, was enticed into circles +where high--and as it was afterward proved--false gambling was the +order of the day, and where a number of bad, but outwardly charming, +elements met. Eugene, in his ignorance, did not understand it, and lost +heavily, until suddenly the party was raided by the police. The +Italians defended themselves, and it ended in a fight, into which +Eugene, too, was drawn. He only defended himself, but he had the +misfortune to injure a policeman severely, and was arrested with the +others."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel had listened silently, with impassive face, and his voice +was as harsh as before as he said: "And Stahlberg had to live to see +this of his son, who had been a model until then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He never heard of it; it was only a momentary losing of one's self--a +case of one misled, rather than guilty, and it will not happen again. +Eugene has given me his word of honor for that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried laughed so scornfully that his companion looked at him in +consternation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"His word of honor! Yes, why not? That is given as easily as it is +broken. Are you truly so trusting as to believe in the word of such a +young lad?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, that I am," asserted Adelaide, in an injured tone, while her +eyes, earnest and reproachful, met the gaze of the man whose awful +bitterness she could not explain. "I know my brother. In spite of this +escapade, he is the son of his father, and he will keep his word to me +and to himself--I know it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is well for you if you can still believe and trust. I have long +forgotten how," said Falkenried, in a low but milder tone. "And what +happened then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My brother succeeded in being allowed to send me word immediately. +'Keep it from father, it would be his death,' he wrote. I knew better +than he did that our desperately ill father could not stand such news. +But we were alone in a foreign country, without friends or +acquaintances, and help had to be had instantly. In this extremity I +thought of Herr von Wallmoden, who at the time was at the embassy at +Florence. We had known him slightly before, and he had called directly +after our arrival and placed himself at our command, should we need the +help of the Ambassador. He had come to our house frequently, and now +hastened to me immediately upon receiving my request. I told him all, +and trusted him, beseeching his advice and help--and received it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At what price?" demanded the Colonel, with darkly contracted brows.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide shook her head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no; it is not as you think--as Eugene also believed. I was not +forced. Herbert gave me free choice, although he did not hide from me +that the occurrence was much worse than I feared; that those sums lost +in play must, nevertheless, be paid if one wished to keep the affair +from publicity; that, in spite of all, it might get into the courts, on +account of the injury to the policeman. He explained to me that he +might be brought into a wrong light if he mixed himself up in such +affairs. 'You desire me to save your brother,' said he; 'perhaps I can +do it, but I jeopardize my position--my whole future thereby. One +makes such a sacrifice, perhaps, only for his own brother, or--his +brother-in-law."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried arose suddenly and took a turn through the room. Then he +stood still before the young wife and said, in angry tones: "And you, +of course, believed that in your anxiety?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you mean that it was not so?" asked Adelaide, startled.</p> + +<p class="normal">He shrugged his shoulders with a half-contemptuous expression.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Possibly. I do not know these diplomatic reasons. I know only one +thing; Wallmoden has, indeed, proved himself a great diplomat in the +whole affair. What did you answer him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I asked for time to think, everything had burst so upon me. But I +knew, that no moment was to be lost, and that same evening I gave +Herbert the right to act--for his brother-in-law."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course," muttered the Colonel, with deep disdain; "the wise, shrewd +Herbert!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He obtained leave of absence immediately, and went to Rome," continued +the young Baroness, "returning in a week, accompanied by my brother. He +had succeeded in freeing Eugene and withdrawing him from the whole +affair. Even the newspapers did not mention the name of the young +German who had been involved in it. I do not know by what means it was +done. If one has powerful friends and does not need to spare money, +much is possible. Herbert had spent money lavishly on all sides and had +brought into use every advantage made possible to him through his long +years of diplomatic work. He also cancelled the gambling debts, +although with his own bond. He told me later that he had given half his +fortune for that purpose."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was very magnanimous, since by this sacrifice he won a cool +million. And what did Eugene say to this--trade?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He knew nothing of it, and soon returned to Germany, as had been +decided at first. From that time Herbert came to our house daily and +knew how to prepossess my sick father so well, that father finally felt +a desire for the union himself. Only then did Herbert begin his wooing. +I was grateful to him for giving it this turn, only Eugene was not +deceived. He guessed everything, and forced the truth from me. Since +then he has tortured himself with self-reproach and almost feels +hostility toward his brother-in-law, in spite of my repeated assurance +that I have never had cause to rue that step, and that I have in +Herbert the most attentive and considerate husband."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried's eyes rested intently upon the face of the young wife, as +if he wished to read her most secret thoughts.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you happy?" he asked, slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am content."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is much in this life," said the Colonel in the old, harsh tone. +"We were not born to be happy. I have done you wrong, Ada. I believed +the splendor of a high position, the desire to play a first rôle in +society as wife of the Ambassador, had made you Frau von Wallmoden, +but--I am glad that t judged you wrongly."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stretched forth his hand. Some expression was now in the icy gaze +and an apology in the grasp of the hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know everything now," concluded Adelaide, with a deep breath, "and +I beg that you will not touch upon the subject before Herbert. You see, +there was nothing dishonorable in his dealings. I repeat to you that he +used neither force nor persuasion. I was forced only by the power of +circumstances. I could not expect that he would make such sacrifices +for a stranger."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If a lady had sought me in such anxiety, I would have made the +sacrifices--unconditionally," declared Falkenried.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you! I would have followed you also with a lighter heart."</p> + +<p class="normal">The avowal betrayed, unconsciously, how hard had been the struggle +which the young wife had not mentioned by a word. But she spoke the +truth.</p> + +<p class="normal">She would much rather have given herself to the gloomy, reticent man, +with his harsh and often offensive manner, if the sacrifice had to be +made, than to the ever polite and attentive husband, who, in the face +of her extremity--had traded with it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You would have had a hard lot then, Ada," said the Colonel, with a +grave shake of the head. "I am one of the men who cannot give or +receive anything more in this life. I have finished with it long ago. +But you are right; it is better to let that subject remain untouched +between Wallmoden and me, for if I wished to tell him my true opinion +about it--well, he will always be a diplomat."</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide arose, breaking off the conversation, and tried to assume a +lighter tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now let me take you to your rooms at last. You must be exhausted +by the long trip."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, a single night's journey will not tire a soldier. Duty makes +harsher demands than that on us."</p> + +<p class="normal">He drew himself up straight and firm; one could see that his physical +strength was yet unbroken. Those muscles and sinews seemed like steel. +It was the features alone that bore the mark of age.</p> + +<p class="normal">The eyes of the Baroness lingered upon them thoughtfully, especially +upon the brow which was so deeply and heavily furrowed and yet was +formed so high and powerful under the white hair.</p> + +<p class="normal">It seemed to her as if she had seen that brow somewhere else, under +dark locks; but there could not be a sharper contrast than between this +too early aged, care-lined face and that youthful head with the +foreign, southern beauty and the uncanny light in the eyes. Yet it had +been the same brow over which the lightnings had flamed on that lonely +forest height; the same high, powerful curve; even the blue veins which +were so pronounced at the temples--a strange, incomprehensible +likeness!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">After some hours the two friends were alone together in Wallmoden's +study. The latter had just made the unavoidable as well as painful +disclosure. He had told the Colonel under what circumstances Rojanow +was in the city, and had unveiled to him uncompromisingly everything he +knew of Hartmut's life and that of his mother, finally informing him of +her death.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had feared this hour, but the result was quite different from what +he had expected. Mutely Falkenried leaned against the window with +folded arms and listened to the long explanations, without interrupting +by a word or gesture. His face remained cold and impassive; no quiver, +no motion betrayed that he heard those things which must bring anguish +to his heart. He was now also "a man of stone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believed I owed these explanations to you," concluded the Ambassador +finally. "If I have kept what I knew of the fate of the two from you so +long, it was done solely that you might not be tortured unnecessarily +with what was hard enough for you to overcome. But you had to learn now +what has happened, and how matters stand at present."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel retained his position and his voice betrayed no mental +excitement as he replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you for your good will, but you could have spared yourself +these explanations. What is that adventurer to me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden looked up amazed; he had not expected such a response.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought it necessary to prepare you for the possibility of meeting +him," he returned. "As you have heard, Rojanow now plays an important +rôle; he is celebrated everywhere. The Duke is deeply wrapped up in +him. You might meet him at the castle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what then? I do not know anybody by the name of Rojanow, and he +will not dare to know me. We should pass each other as strangers."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Ambassador's gaze rested searchingly upon Falkenried's features as +if to fathom this real coldness or incomprehensible self-command.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought you would receive the news of the reappearance of your son +very differently," he said, half aloud.</p> + +<p class="normal">For the first time he intentionally used this title; hitherto he had +merely said Rojanow. But now, for the first time also, an emotion was +visible in the calm figure at the window. But it was an emotion of +anger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no son--remember that, Wallmoden. He died to me that night at +Burgsdorf, and the dead do not rise."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden was silent; the Colonel approached him and laid his hand +heavily upon his arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You said just now that it was your duty to enlighten the Duke, and +that you had not done so solely out of consideration for me. I +have, indeed, but one thing to guard in the world--the honor of my +name--which, through that exposition, would be at the mercy of the +world's raillery and scorn. Do what you think you must do--I shall not +hinder you. But--I shall also do what I have to do."</p> + +<p class="normal">His voice sounded as cold as before, but it contained something so +awful that the Ambassador started up in affright.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Falkenried, for heaven's sake, what do you mean? How am I to interpret +those words?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you like. You diplomats define honor differently at times from us. +I am very one-sided about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall keep silence inviolably, I pledge you my word," assured +Wallmoden, who did not understand the last bitter hint, for he had no +idea of Adelaide's confession. "I had decided on that before you came; +the name of Falkenried shall not be sacrificed by me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Enough, and now no more of it. You have prepared the Duke for what I +bring?" asked Falkenried, passing on to an entirely different subject +after a short pause. "What has he to say to it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Here again was the old iron, unbending will, which put aside all +questioning; but the sudden change seemed to be acceptable to the +Ambassador. He was, here as well as elsewhere, the wise diplomat who +dreaded nothing so much as public exposure, and who would never have +thought of exposing Hartmut, had he not feared that by a possible +leaking out of the truth later and of his knowledge of it, it might be +counted against him. Now, in the worst case, he could cover himself +with the promise he had given the father. Even the Duke must +acknowledge that he--Wallmoden--had had to spare his friend. The shrewd +Herbert knew how to calculate here, too.</p> + +<p class="normal">The stay of Colonel Falkenried was only of short duration, and during +the time he had no rest. Audience with the Duke--conferences with high +military dignitaries, communications with his own embassy--all were +crowded within a few days.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wallmoden was hardly less occupied, until finally everything was +settled. The Ambassador, and especially Colonel Falkenried, had reason +to be satisfied with the results, for everything had been successful +that was expected and desired by their government, and they could be +sure of the highest appreciation at home.</p> + +<p class="normal">Only the most nearly connected circles knew that something important +was going on, and even in these circles only a few knew the full +importance of the conferences. Scarcely anything was noticed in public, +which, therefore, occupied itself only the more with its present +favorite, the poet of Arivana, whose incomprehensible behavior made him +so much more interesting in the Residenz.</p> + +<p class="normal">Almost immediately after that brilliant triumph of his work he had +withdrawn from all praise and homage, and had gone into "forest +solitude," as Prince Adelsberg laughingly informed all questioners. +Where this solitude was, nobody learned. Egon assured them that he had +given his word not to betray the place of his friend's seclusion, for +he needed rest after all his excitement, but would return in a few +days. Nobody knew that Hartmut was at Rodeck.</p> + +<p style="text-align:center; letter-spacing:20px">* * * * *</p> + +<p class="normal">Within the week, one cold winter morning, the carriage of Herr von +Wallmoden stood at his palace door. It seemed to be preparing for a +long excursion, for servants were carrying furs and travelling rugs to +it, while upstairs in the room where they had just breakfasted, the +Ambassador was taking leave of Colonel Falkenried.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Until to-morrow evening, <i>auf wiedersehen</i>," he was saying as he shook +hands. "We shall be back by that time without fail, and you will surely +remain a few days longer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, since the Duke wishes it so particularly," answered the Colonel. +"I have so reported it to Berlin, and my report left on the same train +that carried yours."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I believe they will be satisfied with these reports; but it +has been a hot time. We had no rest all those days. Now, fortunately, +everything is arranged, and I can afford to absent myself for +twenty-four hours to drive to Ostwalden with Adelaide."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ostwalden is the name of your new country home? I remember that you +spoke of it yesterday. Where is it situated?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"About two miles from Furstenstein. Schonan drew my attention to it +while we were with him and I looked at the place at that time. It is +rather an extensive possession in the famous Wald, beautifully +situated, but the price was too high at first, which has delayed the +settlement. We have but now come to a final understanding."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe Ada is not quite satisfied with your selection. She seems to +have something against the vicinity of Furstenstein," interrupted +Falkenried, but the Ambassador only shrugged his shoulders carelessly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A caprice, nothing more. At first Adelaide was quite delighted with +Ostwalden, but later she raised all sorts of objections--but I cannot +pay any attention to that. I shall probably remain there for +considerable periods, as I no longer like to travel far in the summer. +A country seat which is only four hours removed from town is therefore +of great value to me. The castle itself is in rather a dilapidated +condition at present, but something can be made of it. With appropriate +changes and additions it can be made a really superb residence, and I +intend doing that. I shall therefore look it over carefully, so that +the plans can be finished as soon as possible. I have not been there as +yet since I bought it."</p> + +<p class="normal">He made his statements with much evident satisfaction over his plans. +Herbert von Wallmoden, who had originally possessed only a limited +fortune, and was compelled to expend it with great care, had suddenly +found it necessary to buy a sumptuous place in town, where he lived +only temporarily, and to have a princely villa for his summer +residence. But he did not find it necessary to consider the wishes +of his wife, whose wealth made it possible to him to play the great +land-owner.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried may have had such ideas while listening, but he did not +speak of them. He had turned graver and stonier, if possible, in the +last few days, and if he really asked a question or made a remark +during the conversation, one could see it was but mechanical, and +because he had to say something.</p> + +<p class="normal">Only when Adelaide entered, perfectly equipped for the journey, he +arose promptly and offered his arm to lead her to the carriage. He +lifted her in, and Wallmoden, who followed her, leaned once more from +the carriage door. "We shall assuredly return to-morrow. Au revoir."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried bowed and stepped back; It was indifferent to him whether he +saw the friend of his youth again. This, too, had lost its interest; +but when he ascended the steps, he murmured half aloud; "Poor Ada, she +deserved a better fate!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XL.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">In the meanwhile everything pursued its usual course at Furstenstein. +Willibald had been there a week. He had arrived two days later than had +been expected, but the injury to his hand was the cause of that. +According to his explanation it had happened through his own +carelessness, and the hand was already rapidly getting well.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Chief Forester found that his future son-in-law had changed much +for the better during the short intervening time of his absence, and +that he had become much more earnest and decided; and he remarked to +his daughter with the highest satisfaction: "I believe that Willy is +only now commencing to be human. One notices directly when his lady +mamma is not standing commandingly at his side."</p> + +<p class="normal">But Herr von Schonan did not have much time at his disposal to notice +the engaged couple, as he was at present overwhelmed with official +duties. The Duke had ordered several changes in the forest government +to be made according to the suggestions of the Chief Forester, who was +now zealously occupied in executing all of them.</p> + +<p class="normal">He saw and heard daily that Antonie and Willy were on the best terms, +so he left them mostly to themselves.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile in the house of the doctor at Waldhofen care and anxiety had +made their appearance. The sickness of the doctor, which at first had +given no cause for fear, suddenly took a dangerous turn, which was +augmented greatly by the age of the patient. He had called persistently +for his granddaughter, and she had been telegraphed for. She had at +once obtained leave of absence--her rôle in Arivana was filled by +another--and she hastened without delay to Waldhofen.</p> + +<p class="normal">Antonie showed a touching fidelity to her friend at this time. Day +after day found her at the home of the Volkmars to console and cheer +Marietta, who clung to her grandfather with her whole soul.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald seemed to be likewise necessary at these consolations, for he +accompanied Toni regularly, and the Chief Forester thought it quite +natural that "the poor little thing" was being consoled and helped to +the best of their ability, more especially as she had suffered so +unmerited an insult in his house, for which he could not to this day +forgive his sister-in-law.</p> + +<p class="normal">Finally, after three long, sorrowful days and nights, the doctor's +strong constitution conquered; the danger was passed, and hopes of a +full recovery were entertained.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Schonan, who was cordially attached to the doctor, was +heartily glad of it, and so everything seemed to have come into the +best of order.</p> + +<p class="normal">But threatening weather arose from the north. Without a word of warning +Frau von Eschenhagen suddenly appeared at Furstenstein. She had not +taken time to stop in town where her brother lived, but came directly +from Burgsdorf, and burst like a hurricane upon her brother-in-law, who +sat in his room very comfortably reading the paper.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All good spirits--is it you, Regine?" he cried, amazed. "This is what +I call a surprise; you ought to have sent us word."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where is Willibald?" demanded Regine in a dangerous tone, by way of +answer. "Is he at Furstenstein?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, where else should he be? I believe he has announced his +arrival here to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let him be called--immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But what is the matter?" asked Schonan, noticing now for the first +time his sister-in-law's excitement. "Is there a fire at Burgsdorf, +or what? I cannot call Willy to you this moment, for he is at +Waldhofen----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Probably at Dr. Volkmar's--and she is probably there, too."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who is 'she'? Toni has, of course, gone with him. They visit that poor +little thing daily--Marietta--who was quite despairing at first. I must +speak a word with you on this point, Regine. How could you offend the +dear girl so deeply, and in my house besides? I only heard of it +afterward, or----"</p> + +<p class="normal">A loud, angry laugh interrupted him. Frau von Eschenhagen had thrown +hat and cloak upon a chair and now drew close to her brother-in-law.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you to reproach me because I tried to avert the evil which you +have brought upon yourself? Of course you have always been blind and +would never listen to my warnings--now it is too late."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe you are not in your right mind, Regine," said the Forester, +who really did not know what to think of it all. "Will you be so kind +as to tell me what you mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine drew forth a newspaper and handed it to him, pointing with her +finger to a paragraph.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Read!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Schonan obeyed, and now his face also grew red in angry surprise. The +article, which was dated from the South German Residenz, read as +follows:</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"We have just learned that a duel with pistols took place last Monday, +very early in the morning, in a remote part of our park. The opponents +were a well-known resident, Count W--, and a young North German +landowner, W--v. E--, who is visiting his relative here--a high and +distinguished diplomat. The cause of the duel is reported to be a +member of our Court Theatre, a young singer who bears the best of +reputations. Count W-- was injured in the shoulder. Herr v. E-- carried +off a slight wound in the hand, and departed immediately."</p> +<br> +<p class="normal">"Thunder and lightning!" burst forth the Chief Forester, violently. +"The betrothed of my Toni has a duel for Marietta's sake! So this is +the cause of the injured hand which he brought with him! This is +charming, indeed! What else do you know about it, Regine? My paper did +not notice it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But mine did; it was copied from one of your papers, as you see. I +read it yesterday and hastened here at once. I did not even stop to see +Herbert, who cannot have known anything about it, or he would have +notified me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herbert will be here at noon," said Schonan, throwing the paper +angrily upon the table. "He is at Ostwalden with Adelaide, and has +written that he will return by Furstenstein and stop over a few hours. +Perhaps he is coming on this account, but that does not change anything +in the matter. Has that boy--that Willibald--gone crazy?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, that he has," assented Frau von Eschenhagen in like anger. "You +made fun of me, Moritz, when I exhorted you not to let your child +associate with an actress. Indeed, I had no idea that matters could +take such a turn until the moment I discovered that Willy--that my +son--was in love with Marietta Volkmar. I snatched him instantly from +the danger and returned to Burgsdorf. This was the reason of our sudden +departure, which I kept from you, because I considered Willy's +condition as a passing fancy. The boy seemed to have returned to his +senses completely. I would not otherwise have permitted him this +journey; and to be surer still, I placed him under the protection of my +brother. He cannot have been more than three or four days in town, and +now we must live to see this!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Quite exhausted, she threw herself into an arm-chair. The Chief +Forester began to stride about the room vehemently. "And this is not +the worst yet," he cried. "The worst is the farce which the boy is +playing with his betrothed here. My child goes to Waldhofen day after +day, consoling and helping wherever she can, and the Herr Willy always +runs along, and uses the opportunity as a rendezvous. That is too +outrageous! You have raised something nice in that son, Regine."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think I make excuses for him?" demanded Regine. "He shall +answer to us both--I have come for that. He shall learn to know me."</p> + +<p class="normal">She lifted her hand as if making a vow, and Schonan, who was still +racing through the room, repeated angrily: "Yes, he shall learn to know +us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Then and there the door opened, and the betrayed bride-elect entered +into this wild excitement--calm and serene as usual, and saying in the +most innocent way: "I have just heard of your arrival, dear aunt; you +are very welcome."</p> + +<p class="normal">She received no answer, but from both sides instead sounded the +question: "Where is Willibald?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will be here directly; he has gone to the castle gardener for a few +moments, as he did not know of his mother's arrival."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To the gardener! Perhaps to get roses as before," burst forth Frau von +Eschenhagen; but the Chief Forester opened his arms and cried in +pathetic tones:</p> + +<p class="normal">"My child! my poor betrayed child! Come to me come into your father's +arms."</p> + +<p class="normal">He attempted to draw his daughter to his heart, but Regine came upon +the other side and also attempted to draw her to her breast, crying out +in just as pathetic tones: "Compose yourself, Toni. An awful blow +confronts you, but you must bear it. You must show your betrothed that +he and his betrayal are an abomination to your deepest soul."</p> + +<p class="normal">This stormy sympathy was rather startling, but fortunately Antonie had +strong nerves. So she freed herself from the double embrace, stepped +back, and said with calm decision: "I do not think it so. I begin only +now to really like Willy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So much the worse," said Schonan. "Poor child, you do not know yet; +you have no idea of anything! Your betrothed has had a duel for +another's sake."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know that, papa."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Marietta's sake," explained Frau von Eschenhagen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it, dear aunt."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But he loves Marietta!" cried both in accord.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know that, too," replied Toni, with superior mien. "I have known it +for a week."</p> + +<p class="normal">The effect of this explanation was so crushing that the two furious +people became silent and looked at each other in consternation. Toni +continued with imperturbable composure:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Willy told me everything directly upon his arrival. He spoke so +beautifully and truly that I wept with emotion. At the same time a +letter arrived from Marietta, in which she begged my pardon, and that +was still more touching. So nothing was left to me but to give back to +Willy his promise and freedom."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Without asking us?" exclaimed Regine.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The asking would not have been of any use here," said Toni, calmly, +"for I could not marry a man who tells me that he loves another. We +have therefore quietly dissolved our engagement."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So? And I learn it only now? You have become very independent +suddenly," cried her father angrily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Willy intended to speak to you the next day, papa, but he could not +have remained here any longer after such an explanation, and just then +occurred the serious illness of Dr. Volkmar and Marietta's arrival. She +was in despair poor Marietta! and Willy's heart almost broke at the +thought of leaving her alone in this anxiety and of going away without +knowing what turn the illness would take; so I proposed to him to keep +quiet for the present, until the danger should be past; but I went with +him to Waldhofen daily, so that he could see and console Marietta. They +have been so grateful to me--those two. They have called me the +guardian angel of their love."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady seemed to find this very touching, too, for she carried +her handkerchief to her eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen stood stiff and rigid as a statue, but Schonan +folded his hands and said with a resigned sigh: "May God bless your +kindness, my child! but such a thing has never happened before. And you +have arranged the affair very smoothly, I must confess. You have sat +and looked quietly on while your betrothed made love to another girl."</p> + +<p class="normal">Antonie shook her head impatiently. Apparently she liked the rôle of +guardian angel, and found her position one she could fill without any +great exertion, since her affection for her betrothed had always been a +very cool one.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There was no sign of love-making, as the doctor was too seriously +ill," she returned. "Marietta cried incessantly and we had plenty to do +to console her. Now you see and understand that I am not at all +betrayed, and that Willy has acted openly and honestly. I asked him +myself to be silent to you, and, in fact, the matter concerns us +only----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think so? It is therefore of no concern to us?" interrupted the +Chief Forester furiously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, papa. Willy is of the opinion that we need not mind our parents in +this matter at all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does Willibald mean?" demanded Frau von Eschenhagen, who regained +her speech at this unheard-of assertion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That each must love the other before marrying, and he is right," +declared Toni, with unusual vivacity. "It was not in our engagement at +all--in fact, we were not even consulted--but I shall not permit it +another time. I see now what it means for two people to love each other +with all their heart, and how remarkably Willy has changed through it. +I, too, want to be loved as Marietta is loved, and if I do not find a +man who loves me exactly like that--then I shall not marry at all."</p> + +<p class="normal">And after this remark Fraulein Antonie walked out of the room with much +decision and a highly elevated head, leaving father and aunt in an +indescribable condition.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Chief Forester was the first to regain composure, but suppressed +vexation was still in his voice as he turned to his sister-in-law and +said: "Your boy has managed nicely, I must confess, Regine. Now Toni +wants to be loved also, and begins to get romantic ideas in her head, +and Willy seems to be far gone already in that respect. I actually +believe he has managed to make this second proposal by himself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen paid no attention to this bitter hint of her +interference at the former time. Her face bore an expression which +promised nothing good.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to look upon this affair from a comic standpoint," she said. +"I take it differently."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That will not help you any," returned Schonan. "When such a model son +commences to rebel, the affair is usually hopeless, especially when he +is in love. But I am curious to know how Willy behaves himself as a +lover--it must be a remarkable sight!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XLI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Schonan's curiosity was to be immediately satisfied, for Willy +now appeared. He had heard of the arrival of his mother and was +therefore prepared for anything, for that there must be something +especial to bring her to Furstenstein so unexpectedly, he knew. But the +young lord did not shrink back this time as he did two months ago, when +he timidly concealed the rose in his pocket. His bearing betrayed that +he was determined to take up the unavoidable contest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here is your mother, Willy," commenced the Chief Forester. "I suppose +you are very much surprised to see her here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, uncle, I am not," was the answer, but the young man made no +attempt to approach his mother, for she stood there like a threatening +storm cloud, and her voice rumbled like distant thunder as she said: +"So you know why I have come?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I at least guess it, mamma, even if I cannot understand how you have +heard----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The papers have told all--there it lies," interrupted Frau von +Eschenhagen, pointing to the table, "and, besides, Toni has told us +everything--do you hear? everything!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She pronounced this last word in an annihilating tone. Willy was not +moved from his composure, but replied tranquilly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I shall not have to tell you, then. I should have spoken to +uncle to-day about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">This was too much. The storm cloud burst now with thunder and +lightning; it loaded and discharged with such vehemence over the head +of the young lord that really nothing seemed left for him to do but to +disappear quickly under the ground, which could not bear a person of +his kind any longer.</p> + +<p class="normal">But he did not disappear; he only bowed his head to the storm, and when +it finally subsided--for Frau Regine had necessarily to draw breath +some time--he drew himself up and said: "Mamma, please let me talk."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You want to talk? that is remarkable," declared Schonan, who was not +used to such efforts from his daughter's betrothed; but Willibald +actually began, hesitatingly and uncertainly at first, but he gradually +acquired firmness in speech and bearing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry that I have to offend you, but it could not be helped. I am +just as innocent about the duel as Marietta is. She was being followed +by an impertinent fellow persistently. I protected her and chastised +the offender, who sent me a challenge, which I never could nor would +decline. I have to beg Toni's pardon alone for loving Marietta, and I +did that immediately upon my arrival. She heard everything and gave me +back my pledge. Indeed, we have broken our engagement much more +independently than we formed it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, ho, is that meant for us?" cried the Forester angrily. "We did not +force you--both of you could have said no if you had wished."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, we do that now as a supplement," returned Willibald, so quickly +that Schonan looked at him amazed. "Toni came to the same conclusion +that custom alone is not sufficient for marriage, and if one has +learned to know happiness, one wants to possess it also."</p> + +<p class="normal">Fran von Eschenhagen, who had not yet quite regained her breath, +started at these words as if bitten by a snake. It had never entered +her mind that a second engagement would follow the first, now broken. +She had never contemplated this most awful of possibilities.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Possess it," she repeated. "What do you wish to possess? Does that +mean perhaps that you want to marry this Marietta--this creature----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma, I beg you to speak in a different tone of my future wife," her +son interrupted her, so gravely and decidedly that the angry mother +stopped indeed. "Toni has given me freedom; therefore there is no wrong +in my love for Marietta, and Marietta's reputation is blameless--I am +convinced of that. Whoever hurts or offends her has to answer to me, +even if it should be my own mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hear, hear! the boy is coming out," murmured the Chief Forester, with +whom the sense of justice overpowered his vexation, but Frau von +Eschenhagen was far from listening to justice.</p> + +<p class="normal">She had thought to crush her son with her appearance, and now he +offered her resistance in this never before heard of manner.</p> + +<p class="normal">His manly behavior tried her most, as she recognized by it how deep and +powerful was the feeling which could change him so completely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will spare you the enforcement of it toward your mother," she said +with boundless bitterness. "You are of age, and master of Burgsdorf. I +cannot prevent you, but if you really bring this Marietta Volkmar there +as your wife--then I leave."</p> + +<p class="normal">This threat did not miss its aim. Willibald started and drew back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma, you speak in anger."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I speak in deepest earnestness. As soon as an actress enters the house +where I have lived and worked for thirty years--where I had hoped to +lay my head down for its final rest--I shall leave the house forever. +She may reign there then. You have the choice between her and your +mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Regine, do not force it to such a conclusion," Schonan tried to +pacify her. "You torture the poor boy with this cruel 'either--or.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine did not listen to the exhortation. She stood there white to the +lips, her eyes immovably fixed upon her son, and she repeated +unyieldingly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Decide for yourself--this girl or me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald had also turned pale, and his lips quivered painfully and +bitterly as he said in a low tone:</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's hard, mamma; you know how I love you, and how you hurt me with +your going away; but if you really are so cruel as to force me to +choose, well then"--he straightened himself with decision--"then I +choose my betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bravo!" cried the Chief Forester, forgetting entirely that he was one +of the offended ones. "Willy, I feel like Toni. I begin only now to +really like you. I am positively sorry now that you will not be my +son-in-law."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen had not expected such a turn of affairs. She had +trusted in her old power, which she now saw fall into fragments, but +she was not the woman to give in. She would not have bent her obstinate +will even if her life had depended upon it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good! then we have finished with each other," she said curtly, and +turned to go without heeding her brother-in-law, who followed her, +trying to pacify her; but before they reached the door it was opened +and a servant entered with a hasty announcement:</p> + +<p class="normal">"The steward of Rodeck is outside and begs----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no time now," stormed the impulsive Schonan. "Tell Stadinger I +cannot speak with him at present. I have important family affairs----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He did not finish, for Stadinger already stood upon the threshold, +having followed the servant closely, and said in a peculiarly +suppressed tone: "I come about a family affair also, Herr Chief +Forester, but it is a sad one. I cannot wait, but must speak to you +immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But what is it?" asked Schonan, mystified. "Has something happened? +The Prince is not at Rodeck so far as I know."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, mein Herr. His Highness is in town, but Herr Rojanow is there and +sends me. He begs you and Herr von Eschenhagen to come to Rodeck +immediately, and you, gracious lady"--he glanced at Frau von +Eschenhagen, whom he knew from her former visits to Furstenstein--"you +would do well to come likewise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But why? What has happened?" cried Schonan, now really disturbed.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man hesitated; he had apparently been charged to break the news +gradually. Finally he said: "His Excellency, Herr von Wallmoden, is at +the castle, and the Frau Baroness also."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My brother!" interrupted Regine with apprehension.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, gracious lady. His Excellency fell out of the carriage, and now +he lies there unconscious, which means to the physician we called in +great haste that the matter is dangerous."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In God's name! we must go at once, Moritz," cried the frightened lady.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr von Schonan had already grasped the bell rope and pulled it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The carriage as quick as possible!" he cried to the servant. "How did +it happen, Stadinger? Tell us what you know."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Herr Baron was coming from Ostwalden with the gracious lady, +intending to come to Furstenstein," responded Stadinger. "The road, you +know, leads through the Rodeck tract not far from the castle. Our +Forester, who was with some of his subordinates in the Wald, fired a +few shots, and a wounded deer dashed across the road in wild flight +just by the carriage. The horses took fright and ran--the driver could +not hold them. The two Foresters who saw it ran after them. They heard +the Frau Baroness beg her husband: 'Remain seated. Herbert! for God's +sake, no, do not jump,' but His Excellency seemed to have lost his head +entirely. He tore the door open and jumped. At the wild pace they were +going he fell, of course, with full force, and against a tree. The +driver succeeded in bringing his horses to a standstill not far at a +bend of the road. The Frau Baroness, who was not hurt, hastened to the +place of misfortune as quickly as possible, and she found the poor +gentleman there seriously injured and unconscious. The Forester's +people carried him to Rodeck, which was near by. Herr Rojanow has +looked after everything that could be done at the moment, and now he +sends me to bring you the news."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was natural that under the pressure of this heart-rending news the +recent bitter family quarrel should cease instantly. In great haste +they made ready for departure. Antonie was called and informed, and as +soon as the carriage drove up the Chief Forester and his sister-in-law +hastened downstairs.</p> + +<p class="normal">Willibald, who followed with Stadinger, detained him on the steps for a +moment and asked in a low tone: "Has the doctor given his opinion? Do +you know anything more about it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man nodded sadly, and answered also in low tones: "I stood near +when Herr Rojanow asked him in the ante-room. There is no hope--the +poor Excellency will not live through the day."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XLII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The little hunting castle of Rodeck, which lay so cold and lonely in +the first December snowy days, had seldom seen such excitement as +to-day.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was about noon when the two Foresters, whose firing was the innocent +cause of the disaster, brought the injured Ambassador to the house. +They had known that the longer march to Furstenstein was impossible, so +they turned toward Rodeck, which lay scarcely a quarter of an hour's +walk from the place of the accident.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut Rojanow, who was at the castle, was immediately called, and had +made the necessary arrangements with quick decision. The rooms which +Prince Adelsberg usually occupied were put at the disposal of the +Baroness, and a messenger was despatched on horseback for the nearest +physician, who, fortunately, was easy to reach.</p> + +<p class="normal">When the doctor's statement allowed no hope, Stadinger was sent to +Furstenstein to summon the relatives, who soon arrived, but only to +find Herr von Wallmoden dying. He did not regain the consciousness +which he had lost in that awful fall; he lay there immovable, +recognizing no one; and when the day drew to a close all was over.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Chief Forester, with Willibald, returned to Furstenstein toward +night. He had sent a telegram before leaving Furstenstein, to notify +the Embassy of the sad accident which had befallen its chief, and now +had to follow it with the announcement of his death.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen had remained at Rodeck with her brother's widow. +To-morrow preparations would be made to carry the body to the Residenz, +and the two ladies wished to remain at his side until then.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide, who had proved so courageous during the danger, and who had +done her full duty at the bedside of her husband, seemed, now that this +duty was over, to give way entirely under the sudden and prostrating +blow. She was stunned and dazed by the awful accident.</p> + +<p style="text-align:center; letter-spacing:20px">* * * * *</p> + +<p class="normal">At the window of his room, which was in an upper story, stood Hartmut, +gazing out into the desolate forest, which glittered so ghostly in the +dim starlight. Yesterday had brought the first snow, and now everything +was stiff in its cold embrace. The large lawn in front of the castle +was deeply covered; the trees bent heavily under their white burden, +and the broad branches of the firs were bowed to the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">Up there in the dark night sky, star after star shone in calm splendor, +and far off on the northern horizon dawned a slight rosy light, like +the first greeting of the dawn. And yet it was night cold, icy cold, +winter night, in which as yet no ray of the coming day could fall.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut's eyes were riveted upon the mysterious glow. In his heart, +too, it was dark, and yet something dawned there, fair and low, +like the dawn of the morn. He had not seen Adelaide von Wallmoden +since that fatal hour upon the forest height, until he met her +to-day at the side of her husband, who had been borne, bleeding and +unconscious--dying--into the castle.</p> + +<p class="normal">This sight forced back every remembrance, and demanded assistance to +the extent of his power. He had not entered the death chamber, and had +only received the doctor's report; neither had he appeared upon Frau +von Eschenhagen's arrival, but later on had spoken with the Chief +Forester and Willibald. Now everything was decided. Herbert von +Wallmoden was no longer among the living, and his wife was a widow--was +free.</p> + +<p class="normal">A deep breath agitated Hartmut's breast at the thought, and yet nothing +joyful was in it, although his feelings had undergone a change since +the hour he ventured his highest stake and--lost.</p> + +<p class="normal">But that hour had proved to him the deep abyss which was open between +them even now that the bond of Adelaide's marriage was broken. She had +"shuddered" before the man who believed in nothing--to whom nothing was +sacred, and he was the same man he had been then.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had offered an apology without words in the creation of the added +portion of Arivana which bore her name, but Ada had floated back to the +heights from which she had come with her cry of warning, and mankind, +with their glowing hate and love, remained upon earth.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut Rojanow could not force the hot, wild blood which flowed in his +veins into a quiet movement; he could not bow to a life full of strict +obedience and duty--neither did he wish to. For what had the genius +which won his way everywhere been given him, if it could not lift him +over the duties and barriers of every-day life?</p> + +<p class="normal">And yet he knew that those large, blue eyes pointed inexorably to the +hated path--that would never do.</p> + +<p class="normal">The red glimmer over the forest yonder had turned darker and risen +higher. It looked like the reflection of a powerful fire; but that +calm, steady light came from no fire. Immovable it stood in the north; +mysterious, high, and far removed--an aurora in approaching splendor.</p> + +<p class="normal">The rolling of a carriage coming near in great haste broke Hartmut from +his revery. It was past nine o'clock; who could arrive at such an hour? +Perhaps it was the second physician who had been sent for in the +afternoon, but who had been away from home; perhaps some one from +Ostwalden, where the news may have already been carried.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now the carriage turned the corner of the lawn; the wheels crunched +upon the hard, frozen ground, and the vehicle reached the main entrance +of the castle.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow, who to-day represented the master of the house, left his room +and started to meet the new arrival. He had reached the stairs which +led down to the entrance hall, and put his foot upon the first step, +when he suddenly shuddered and remained rooted to the spot.</p> + +<p class="normal">Down there a voice spoke which he had not heard for ten long years; it +was suppressed, and yet he recognized it at the first moment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I come from the Embassy. We received a dispatch this afternoon, and I +took the first train to hasten here. How is he? Can I see Herr von +Wallmoden?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger, who had received the newcomer, replied in such low tones +that the import of his words was lost to Hartmut, but the stranger +asked hastily: "I do not come too late?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, mein Herr. Herr von Wallmoden died this afternoon."</p> + +<p class="normal">A short pause followed, then the stranger said, huskily but firmly: +"Lead me to the widow--announce Colonel von Falkenried."</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger turned to go, followed by a tall figure in a military cloak, +of which one could see only the outlines in the dimly-lighted hall.</p> + +<p class="normal">The two figures had long ago disappeared in the lower rooms, and still +Hartmut stood leaning on the baluster, looking downward. Only when +Stadinger returned alone did he collect himself and retire to his room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Here he walked restlessly for a quarter of an hour. It was a hard, +silent conflict which he waged. He had never been able to bend his +pride; had never humbled himself, but he had to bow low before his +deeply offended father--he knew that. But again a burning, absorbing +longing overcame him, becoming all-powerful and finally conquering. He +drew himself up resolutely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I will not shrink like a coward now. We are under one roof; the +same walls surround us; now it shall be ventured. He is my father and I +am his son."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The castle clock struck twelve in slow, hollow strokes. Deathlike +stillness lay over the forest outside, and it was as still in the house +where a corpse lay. The steward and servants had retired, as had Frau +von Eschenhagen. Exhausted nature demanded its due. She had made the +long, tedious journey from Burgsdorf without stop, and had lived +through the hard, trying day.</p> + +<p class="normal">Only a few windows were dimly lighted; they belonged to the rooms which +had been appointed to Frau von Wallmoden and Colonel Falkenried, which +lay near together, separated only by an ante-room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried intended to accompany the widow back to the Residenz on the +morrow. He had spoken with her and Regine, and had stood for a long +time beside the body of his friend, who only yesterday had called to +him so confidently, "<i>auf wiedersehen</i>"--who had been so full of his +projects and plans for his future and his newly acquired possessions. +Now all this had come to an end. Cold and stiff he lay upon his bier, +and cold and gloomy Falkenried now stood at the window of his room. +Even this awful accident was not able to shake his stony composure, for +he had long ago forgotten to consider death a misfortune. <i>Life</i> was +hard--but not death.</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked silently out into the winter night and he, too, saw the +ghostly glimmer which lighted the darkness out there. Dark-red it now +glowed upon the distant horizon, and the whole of the northern sky +seemed penetrated by invisible flames.</p> + +<p class="normal">Redlike, as through a purple veil, twinkled the stars. Now a few +distant rays shot up, growing more numerous, and rising always higher +to the zenith.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beneath this flaming sky the snow-covered world lay cold and white. The +aurora was shining in the fulness of its splendor!</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried was so lost in the glory of the sight that he did not hear +the opening and closing of the door of the ante-room. Carefully the +partly closed door of his own room was now opened, but the one entering +did not bring himself into view, but remained motionless upon the +threshold.</p> + +<p class="normal">Colonel Falkenried still stood at the window half-averted, but the +flickering light of the candles which burned upon the table lighted his +face distinctly; the strong, deep lines of the features, and the +gloomy, careworn brow beneath the white hair.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut shivered involuntarily; he had not anticipated such a deep and +awful change. The man standing in his prime, looked aged, and who had +brought this premature age upon him?</p> + +<p class="normal">A few moments passed in this deep silence, then a voice vibrated +through the room half-audible, beseeching, and full of a tenderness +suppressed with difficulty--a single word pregnant with meaning.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried started as if a spirit voice had reached his ear. Slowly he +turned as if really believing he heard a spirit-haunting voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut quickly approached a few steps, then stood still.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, it is I--I come----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He stopped short, for now he met his father's eyes; those eyes which he +had feared so much, and what they now expressed robbed him of the +courage to speak further. He bowed his head in silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">Every drop of blood seemed to have left the face of Colonel Falkenried. +He had not known--he had no idea that his son was under the same roof +with him; the meeting found him totally unprepared, but it did not tear +from him one exclamation, nor sign of anger or weakness. Rigid and mute +he stood there and looked upon him who had once been his all. At last +he raised his hand and pointed to the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, listen to me----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go, I say." The command now sounded threatening.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I shall not go!" cried Hartmut passionately. "I know that +reconciliation with you depends upon this hour. I have offended +you--how deeply and seriously I feel only now--but I was a boy of +seventeen, and it was my mother whom I followed. Think of that, father, +and pardon me--grant pardon to your son."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are the son of the woman whose name you bear--not mine!" said the +Colonel with cutting scorn. "A Falkenried has no son without honor."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut was about to burst forth at this awful word; the blood rose hot +and wild to his brow, but he looked upon that other brow beneath the +hair bleached like snow, and with superhuman effort controlled himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">The two believed themselves alone during this interview in the +stillness of the night--surely everything was sleeping in the castle. +They had no idea that a witness was there.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide von Wallmoden had not retired to rest. She knew that she could +find no sleep after this day which had so suddenly and disastrously +made her a widow. Dressed still in the dark traveling suit which she +had worn on the unfortunate drive, she sat in her room, when suddenly +Colonel Falkenried's voice reached her ear.</p> + +<p class="normal">With whom could he be speaking at such an hour? Was he not a total +stranger here? And the voice sounded so strangely hollow and +threatening.</p> + +<p class="normal">She arose in alarm and entered the ante-room which separated the two +sleeping apartments--for only a moment, she thought--only to see +that nothing had happened; then she heard another voice which she +knew--heard the word "Father," and like lightning the truth flashed +upon her, which the next words confirmed. As if paralyzed, she remained +standing there, every word reaching her through the partly closed door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You make this hour hard for me," said Hartmut with painfully sustained +composure. "Be it so--I have not expected it otherwise. Wallmoden has +told you everything. I might have known it, but then he could not keep +from you what I have sought and won. I bring to you the laurel of the +poet, father--the first laurel which has come to me. Learn to know my +work; let it speak to you, then you will feel that its creator could +not live and breathe in the constraint of a vocation which kills every +poetical emotion; then you will forget the unfortunate error of the +boy."</p> + +<p class="normal">Here again it was Hartmut Rojanow who spoke thus with his overweening +self-consciousness and pride, which did not leave him even in this +hour; the poet of Arivana, for whom there existed no duties--no +barriers; but he encountered a rock here, upon which he shattered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The boy's error!" repeated Falkenried, just as harshly as before. +"Yes, they called it so to make it possible for me to remain in the +army. I name it differently, and so does every one of my comrades. You +were to have been an ensign. In a few weeks it would have been +desertion of the standard by law also. I have never considered it +anything else. You had been raised in the strict discipline of honor of +our caste, and knew what you did, for you were no longer a boy. <i>He who +flees secretly from the military service which he owes his fatherland +is a deserter; he who breaks a vow--a given word--is without honor. You +did both!</i> But of course you and your kind pass over such things +easily."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut clenched his teeth; his whole body trembled at these merciless +words, and his voice sounded hollow, choked, as he answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Enough, father. I cannot bear it. I wished to bow before you--wished +to submit--but you yourself drive me from you. This is the same cruel +sternness with which you drove my mother from you. I know it from her +own lips. Whatever her later life was, and however through it my own +has developed--this severity alone has been the cause of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel folded his arms, and an expression of unspeakable disdain +quivered around his mouth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"From her own lips you know? Possibly. No woman has sunk so deeply but +she would try to veil such a truth from her son. I did not wish to +pollute your ears at that time with this truth, for you were innocent +and pure. Now you will probably understand me when I tell you that the +separation was a demand of honor. The man who stained my honor fell by +my bullet, and she who betrayed me--I pushed from me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut became white as death at this disclosure. He had never thought +that. He had fully believed that only the harshness which lay in his +father's character had caused the separation. The remembrance of his +mother fell lower and lower; he had loved her just as ardently as she +had loved him, even when he felt at times that she was his ruin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wished to protect you from the poisonous breath of this presence and +influence," continued Falkenried. "Fool that I was! You were lost to me +even without the coming of your mother. You bear her features; it is +her blood that courses through your veins, and it would have demanded +its dominion sooner or later. You would have become anyway what you are +now--a homeless adventurer, who does not recognize his fatherland and +his honor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is too much!" burst forth Hartmut wildly. "I shall not permit +myself to be so abused, even by you. I see now that no reconciliation +between us is possible. I go, but the world will judge differently from +you. It has already crowned my first work, and I shall force from it +the appreciation which my own father keeps from me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel looked at his son--something awful was in the glance; then +he said icily and slowly, emphasizing each word: "Then take care also +that the world does not learn that the 'crowned poet' did a spy's +service two years ago at Paris."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut shrank as if hit by a bullet.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? In Paris? Are you out of your senses?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried shrugged his shoulders contemptuously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Acting besides? Do not trouble yourself--I know all. Wallmoden proved +to me what rôle Zalika Rojanow and her son played at Paris. I know the +origin of the means by which they continued the life they were +accustomed to when their wealth was lost. They were very much sought +after by the commissioners, for they were exceedingly apt, and they who +bought their services received them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut stood as if lifeless. So this was the awful solution of the +problem which Wallmoden had given him that night in his hint. He had +not understood its meaning then, but sought the solution in another +direction. This was it, then, which his mother kept from him--from +which she had diverted him with caresses and coaxings whenever he +put a suspicious question. She had sunk to the last, most disgraceful +lot--and her son was branded with her.</p> + +<p class="normal">The silence which now ensued was awful; it lasted for minutes, and when +Hartmut finally spoke again his voice had lost its sound--the words +came brokenly, almost inaudibly, from his lips:</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you believe--that I--that I knew about this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," said the Colonel, coldly and firmly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, you cannot--must not do that. The punishment would be too +terrible. You must believe me when I tell you that I had no idea +of this disgrace--that I believed a part of our wealth had been +saved--that--you will believe me, father?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No." Falkenried remained rigid and unbending as before.</p> + +<p class="normal">Beside himself with anguish, Hartmut fell upon his knees.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, before everything that is sacred to you in heaven or in +earth--oh, do not look at me so terribly. You drive me frantic with +that look! Father, I give you my word of honor----"</p> + +<p class="normal">An awful, wild laugh from his father interrupted him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your word of honor as at that time at Burgsdorf. Get up--abandon +acting; you do not deceive me by it. You went from me with a breaking +of your word--<i>you return with a lie</i>. Go your own way--I go mine. Only +one thing I request of you--command you. Do not dare to use the name of +Falkenried by the side of the branded one of Rojanow. Never let the +world know who you are. When that happens my blood will be upon you, +for then--I end with life!"</p> + +<p class="normal">With a loud cry Hartmut sprang to his feet and approached his father, +but Falkenried repelled him by a commanding gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think that I still love life? I have borne it because I had +to--perhaps I considered it my duty; but there is one point where this +duty ends; you know it now--act accordingly."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned his back upon his son and walked to the window. Hartmut did +not speak another word. Mutely he turned to go.</p> + +<p class="normal">The ante-room was not lighted, yet it was filled with the glow +of the blazing skies outside, and in this glow stood a woman--deathly +pale--with eyes fixed with an indescribable expression upon the one +approaching.</p> + +<p class="normal">He glanced up and a single look showed him that she knew all. This was +the last. He had received his mortal humiliation before the woman he +loved--had been thrown into the dust before her!</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut did not know how he left the castle, how he reached the open +air. He only felt that he should stifle in those walls--that he was +driven forth with fury and power. He found himself at last under a fir +tree, which bowed its snow-covered limbs over him. It was night in the +forest--cold, icy winter night, but up there in the sky the mysterious +light shone on and on with purple power, with quivering rays, which +united at the zenith into a crown.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">It was summer again. July had commenced, and in the hot, sun-parched +days the forest mountains beckoned irresistibly with their cool +shadows, and the green, airy splendor of their dales and heights.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ostwalden, the estate which Herbert von Wallmoden had purchased +immediately before his death, and had not been permitted to live in for +even one summer, had since then rested in solitude. But a few days ago +the young widow had arrived there in company with her sister-in-law, +Frau von Eschenhagen.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide had left the South German Residenz shortly after the death of +her husband and returned home with her brother, who had hastened to her +side at the news of her husband's death. Her short married life had +lasted but eight months, and now the wife, not yet twenty years old, +wore the widow's veil.</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine had been easily persuaded to accompany her sister-in-law. The +once absolute mistress of Burgsdorf had stood to her "either--or," and +as Willibald proved just as obstinate, she had made her threat true, +and had moved to town even during the first period of mourning for her +brother.</p> + +<p class="normal">But Frau von Eschenhagen deceived herself if she thought to gain her +end by this last move. She had hoped that her son would not let it come +to a real separation, but it was in vain that she let him feel the full +bitterness of the separation. The young master had had full opportunity +to prove that his newly awakened independence and love were not mere +momentary feelings.</p> + +<p class="normal">He tried everything to make his mother reconsider, but when he did not +succeed, he showed a like stubbornness, and mother and son had not seen +each other for months.</p> + +<p class="normal">However, his engagement with Marietta had not been made public as yet. +He believed he owed his former fiancée and her father too much respect +to allow a second betrothal to follow too soon upon the heels of the +first. Besides, Marietta was bound by contract to the theatre for fully +six months, and as her betrothal was to remain a secret for the +present, she could not obtain an earlier release. Only now had the +young girl returned to her grandfather at Waldhofen, where Willibald +was also expected.</p> + +<p class="normal">Of course Frau von Eschenhagen knew nothing about this or she would +hardly have accepted the invitation which brought her into the +neighborhood.</p> + +<p class="normal">The day had been so warm and sunny that only late afternoon brought +cooler air, but the road to Ostwalden was mostly shady, as it lay +through the forests of Rodeck.</p> + +<p class="normal">Two horsemen were now on this road; one in gray hunting jacket and +hat--the Chief Forester, von Schonan; the other a slender, youthful +form clad in a distinguished looking summer suit--Prince Adelsberg. +They had met by chance and learned that both were bound for the same, +destination.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should not have dreamed of meeting you here, Your Highness," said +Schonan. "It was said that you would not visit Rodeck at all this +summer, and Stadinger, with whom I spoke the day before yesterday, did +not know a syllable of your near arrival."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; and he cried Ach! and Weh! when I fell upon the house so +unexpectedly," replied Egon. "It would not have needed much to make him +show me from my own door, because I followed my dispatch instantly, and +nothing was prepared for me. But the heat at Ostend was well-nigh +unbearable. I could not stand the glowing sands of the beach any +longer, and was overcome by an irrepressible longing for my cool, quiet +forest nook. God be thanked that I have gotten away from the heat and +fuss of a watering place!"</p> + +<p class="normal">His Highness was pleased not to tell the truth in this case. He had +hastened here from the beach of the North Sea to enjoy a certain +"neighborhood" of which he happened to hear. Stadinger had mentioned in +a report, in which he asked for permission to make some changes at +Rodeck, that these same arrangements had already been made at +Ostwalden, where Frau von Wallmoden dwelt at present.</p> + +<p class="normal">To his surprise, instead of the expected permission, his young master +arrived in person after three days. The Prince had not known anything +better after this news than to throw over all his summer plans.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Chief Forester did not seem to believe the pretext, for he remarked +somewhat sarcastically: "It surprises me, indeed then, that our Court +stays at Ostend so long. The Duke and Duchess are there; also Princess +Sophie, with a niece--a relative of her late husband, I hear."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, a niece." Egon turned suddenly and looked at the speaker. "Herr +Chief Forester, you, too, want to deliver congratulations to me--I see +it in your face--but if you do that I shall challenge you instantly +here in the midst of the forest."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Your Highness, I do not intend to bring a duel upon myself," +laughed Schonan, "but the newspapers already speak quite openly of an +approaching or already consummated engagement, which suits the wishes +of the princely ladies."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My most gracious aunts wish many things," said Egon coolly. "Their +most obedient nephew, though, is often of a different opinion, alas; +and it has been the case this time also. I went to Ostend upon the +invitation of the Duke, which I could not refuse, but the air did not +agree with me at all, and I cannot risk my health so recklessly. I felt +the first symptoms of sunstroke, which would certainly have taken me +off, so I decided, then, in good time----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To take yourself off," finished Schonan. "This is like Your Highness, +but now you can count upon a three-fold displeasure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Possibly. I shall bear it in solitude and self-banishment. I intend, +besides"--here the young Prince drew a very solemn face--"to give all +my attention this summer to my estates--especially Rodeck. A change in +the building shall be made there--Stadinger has already written me +about it, but I considered a personal surveillance necessary."</p> + +<p class="normal">"On account of the chimneys?" asked Schonan dryly. "Stadinger thought +that as the chimneys smoked last winter, he would like to have new ones +built."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does Stadinger know about it?" cried Egon, vexed that his old +"Waldgeist" had again gotten ahead of him with his most uncomfortable +love for truth. "I have very grand plans for beautifying---- Ah, here +we are!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He started his horse into a quicker gait and the Chief Forester +followed his example, for Ostwalden indeed lay before them.</p> + +<p class="normal">The extensive changes with which the late Wallmoden had intended to +convert Ostwalden into a splendid show place had not been made; but the +old ivy-covered castle, with its two side turrets, and the shady, +although somewhat neglected park, possessed a picturesque charm. It was +understood that the present mistress intended neither changes nor a +sale of the property, for to the heiress of the Stahlberg wealth a +villa more or less was of no consequence.</p> + +<p class="normal">Upon their arrival the gentlemen learned that Frau von Wallmoden was in +the park; but Frau von Eschenhagen was in her room. The Prince allowed +himself to be announced to the lady of the house, while the Chief +Forester first looked up his sister-in-law, whom he had not seen since +the previous winter. He went to her apartments and entered without more +ado.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here I am," he announced in his usual unceremonious manner. "I don't +need to be announced to my Frau sister, even if she seems to hold me at +arm's length. Why did you not come along, Regine, when Adelaide drove +to Furstenstein the day before yesterday? Of course, I do not believe +the excuse which she brought me in your name, and have now come two +hours' riding on horseback to ask for an explanation."</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine offered him her hand. She had not changed outwardly in these six +or seven months. She still bore the same strong, self-reliant +appearance and decided way, but her former serenity and cheerfulness, +which, in spite of her brusquerie, were so winning, had disappeared +from her manner. If she never acknowledged it under any circumstances, +it was plainly to be seen that she suffered because her only son grew +strange to her--the son to whom once his mother's love and will had +been all things.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have nothing against you, Moritz," she replied. "I know that you +have retained the old friendship for me in spite of all that has been +done to you and your daughter; but you ought to understand how +embarrassing it is to me to visit Furstenstein again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"On account of the dissolved engagement? You ought to be consoled about +it at last. You were present and saw and heard how easily Toni took +matters. She was decidedly better pleased with her rôle of 'guardian +angel' than with that of fiancée; and she has tried several times to +change your mind by her letters, just as I have; but we both have been +unsuccessful."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I know how to value your rare magnanimity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rare magnanimity!" repeated Schonan, laughing. "Well, yes, it might +not happen often that the former fiancée and prospective father-in-law +put in a good word for the recreant betrothed, so that he and his +sweetheart may gain the maternal blessing. But for once we are thus +superior in our frankness; and besides, both of us came to the +conclusion that Willy, in fact, has only now become a sensible person, +and this has been accomplished solely and alone by--yes, I cannot help +it, Regine--by the little Marietta."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen frowned at this remark. She did not consider it +best to answer it, but asked in a tone that plainly betrayed her wish +to change the subject: "Has Toni returned? I learned through Adelaide +that she had been at the Residenz, but was daily expected home."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Chief Forester, who had accepted a seat in the meantime, leaned +back comfortably in his chair.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, she returned yesterday, but with a second shadow, for she brought +some one along, who she insists must and shall be her future husband, +and he insists upon it likewise with such emphasis, that really nothing +is left for me to do but to say Yes--Amen!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! Toni engaged again?" asked Frau von Eschenhagen in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, but this time she managed it all by herself; I did not have an +inkling of it. You will remember that she took it into her head at that +time that she, too, wanted to be loved in a surpassing manner, and +enjoy the usual romance of it. Herr Lieutenant von Waldorf seems to +have attended to that. He has, as she told me with highest +satisfaction, sunk on his knees before her, and declared he could not +and would not live without her, while she gave him a similar touching +assurance, and so forth. Yes, Regine, it will not do any longer to lead +the children by the apron strings when they become of age. They imagine +that marriage is solely their affair, and really they are not so far +wrong about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The last remark sounded very suggestive, but Regine overlooked it +completely. She repeated thoughtfully:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Waldorf? the name is quite strange to me. Where did Toni get +acquainted with the young officer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is my son's friend and he brought him home with him at his last +visit. In consequence of that an acquaintance with his mother was +begun, which ripened until she invited Toni to visit her some weeks, +and there and then the falling in love and engagement took place. I +have nothing to say against it. Waldorf is handsome, jolly, and in love +up to his ears. He does seem to be a little volatile, but he will +settle down when he gets a sensible wife. The model boys are not after +my taste; they are the very worst when they do get wild, as we have +seen in your Willy. Waldorf will get his discharge in the fall, for my +daughter is not suited for a lieutenant's wife. I will buy an estate +for the young couple, and the wedding will occur at Christmas."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am so glad for Toni's sake," said Frau von Eschenhagen, cordially. +"You take a burden from my heart by this news."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad, too," nodded the Chief Forester, "but now you ought to +follow my example and take a burden from the hearts of a certain +other couple. Be reasonable, Regine, and give in! The little Marietta +has remained true, although she was on the stage. Everybody praises +her blameless conduct. You do not need to be ashamed of your +daughter-in-law."</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine arose suddenly and pushed her chair back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg you once for all, Moritz, to spare me such requests. I shall +stand firm at my word. Willibald knows the condition under which alone +I will return to Burgsdorf. If he does not fulfil it--the separation +remains."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He knows better," said Schonan dryly, "than to give up his bride-elect +and marriage solely because she does not suit his Frau mamma. Such +conditions are never fulfilled."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You express yourself very amiably indeed," returned Frau von +Eschenhagen angrily. "Of course, what do you know of the love and +anxiety of a mother, or of the gratitude her children owe her? All of +you are ungrateful, inconsiderate, selfish----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oho! I beg you, in the name of my sex, to refrain from such +vituperations," interrupted the Chief Forester hotly; but suddenly he +reconsidered and said: "We have not seen each other for seven months, +Regine; we really ought not to quarrel the first day again--we can do +that later on. Let us therefore leave your refractory son alone for the +present, and speak of ourselves. How do you like it in town? You do not +exactly look so very well satisfied."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am exceptionally satisfied," declared Regine with great decision. +"What I need only is work. I am not used to idleness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then create work for yourself. It rests solely with you to again step +to the head of a large household."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you commencing again----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not mean Burgsdorf this time," said Schonan, playing with his +riding whip. "I only meant--you sit all alone in town, and I shall sit +all alone at Furstenstein when Toni marries--that is very tiresome! How +would it be--well, I have already explained it to you once before, but +you did not want me then. Perhaps you have bethought yourself better +now. How would it be if we should make the third couple at this double +wedding?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen looked gloomily to the floor and shook her head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Moritz. I feel less like marrying now than ever."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Already a 'No' again!" shouted the Chief Forester wrathfully. "Is this +a second refusal you give me? At first you did not want me because your +son and your beloved Burgsdorf had grown too near your heart, and now +when you see that both get along very well without you, you do not want +me because you do not '<i>feel like it</i>.' Feeling does not belong to +marrying, anyhow only some sense is wanted; but if one is +unreasonableness and obstinacy personified----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You woo me in a very flattering manner, indeed," interrupted Regine, +now wrathful also. "It would be an exceedingly peaceful marriage if you +act like this as a suitor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would not be peaceful, but neither would it be tiresome," declared +Schonan. "I believe we could both stand it. Once more, Regine, do you +want me or do you not want me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I do not care to '<i>stand</i>' a married life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then let it alone!" cried the Chief Forester furiously, jumping up and +snatching his hat. "If it gives you so much pleasure to say 'No' +forever, then say it. But Willy will marry in spite of you, and he is +right; and now I shall be the best man at the wedding just to spite +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">With which he rushed off, quite beside himself at this second jilting, +and Frau von Eschenhagen remained behind in a similar frame of mind. +They had really quarrelled again at the first <i>Wiedersehen</i>, and even +the second refusal could not be left out of this friendly habit.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XLV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Meantime Prince Adelsberg was with Frau von Wallmoden in the park. He +had begged her not to interrupt her outing, and so they both walked in +the shade of the huge trees in the cool, green twilight, while out on +the meadow lay still the glaring sunlight.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon had not seen the young widow since the death of her husband. The +formal visit of condolence, which he had made after the accident, had +been received by Eugene Stahlberg in the name of his sister, and then +they had left the city immediately.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide wore, of course, the widow's mourning; but her companion +thought he had never seen her so beautiful as to-day in the deep, +sombre black and crepe veil, beneath which the blonde hair glimmered. +His glance passed repeatedly over this beautiful blonde head, and +always the question recurred: What has really happened to these +features that they look so entirely different?</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon had only known the lady at whose side he now walked in that cool, +haughty composure which had made her so unapproachable to him and the +world. Now this coldness had disappeared, and he saw and felt but could +not decipher the strange change which had taken its place.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young widow could not possibly mourn so deeply and seriously for a +husband who was so far removed from her in age, and who, even had he +been young, could never have given her the love youth demands, with his +practical, coldly calculating nature. And yet there lay over her whole +appearance the expression of secret suffering--of a sorrow which was +mutely but painfully borne.</p> + +<p class="normal">Where did this mysterious line come from, this soft light of the eyes +which seemed to have learned but now to know tears?</p> + +<p class="normal">"It always seems to me as if life and fire could glow there and +transform the snow region into a blooming world," Prince Adelsberg had +once exclaimed in jest. Now this transformation had taken place, +slowly, almost imperceptibly. But this soft, half-painful expression +which replaced the former seriousness, this dreamy look, gave a charm +to the young woman which, with all her beauty, had been missing +before--a charming, gentle grace.</p> + +<p class="normal">At first the conversation touched upon indifferent things only, the +questions and answers that were customary and formal. Egon narrated +incidents of happenings during the winter at Court and in town, and +then offered the same explanation of his sudden arrival which he had +given the Chief Forester, speaking of the unendurable heat at Ostend +and of his longing for the cool, still forest solitude.</p> + +<p class="normal">A fleeting smile which quivered over the lips of his companion told him +that she believed this pretext as little as had the Chief Forester, and +that the notice in the papers had also been seen by her. He grew +unaccountably vexed about it and studied how he could remedy the +mistake, here where he could not be so plain-spoken, when Adelaide +suddenly asked: "Shall you remain alone at Rodeck, Your Highness? Last +summer you had a--guest with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">A shadow passed over the face of the young Prince. He forgot the rumor +of his engagement and his anger about it at this remark.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mean Hartmut Rojanow?" he asked, gravely. "He will hardly come, as +he is in Sicily at present, or at least was there two months ago. I +have had no news from him since, and do not even know where to write +him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Wallmoden bent down and picked some flowers growing at the +wayside as she remarked: "I thought you were in lively correspondence +with each other."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hoped so at the beginning of our separation, and it is not my fault; +but Hartmut has become a perfect mystery to me lately. You were witness +of the brilliant success of his 'Arivana' at our Court Theatre; it has +since then been reproduced at several other theatres. The play is +conquering by storm wherever it appears, and the author withdraws from +all these triumphs--almost flees from his rising fame--hides from all +the world, even from me. Let who can comprehend it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide had regained her former erect carriage, but the hand which +held the flowers trembled slightly, while her eyes were directed upon +the Prince in breathless expectancy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And when did Herr Rojanow leave Germany?" she asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At the beginning of December. Shortly before that he had gone to +Rodeck for a few days immediately after the first appearance of his +drama. I considered it a caprice and yielded. Then he suddenly returned +to my house, in town, in a condition of mind and body which really +frightened me, and announced his departure; listened to no entreaties, +answered no questions, but remained firm about going, and really left +like a whirlwind. Weeks passed before I heard of him; then he sent me +occasional letters, which, if rare enough, at least kept me aware of +his whereabouts, and I could answer him. He went to Greece, where he +strayed now here, now there. After that he went to Sicily, but now all +information has stopped, and I am in the greatest alarm."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon spoke with suppressed excitement. One could see how deeply the +separation from his passionately loved friend hurt him. He did not +dream that the young widow at his side could have given him an +explanation of the mystery. She knew what drove Hartmut to wander +restlessly from land to land; what made him shudder before the famous +poet's name which bore that secret but awful stain. But it was the +first news she had heard of him since that disastrous night at Rodeck, +which had discovered everything to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Poets are sometimes differently constituted from common mortals," she +said, slowly plucking to pieces one of her flowers. "They have the +right sometimes to be incomprehensible."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince shook his head, incredulously and sadly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, it is not that; this comes from an entirely different source. I +felt long ago that something dark--mysterious--lay in Hartmut's life, +but I never inquired into it, for he would not suffer the slightest +touch on this point, and he kept silent persistently. It is as if he +stands under a doom, which gives him no peace or rest anywhere, and +which springs upon him suddenly when one thinks it buried and +forgotten. I received this impression anew when he took leave of me in +wild agitation; it was impossible to hold him. But you cannot imagine +how I miss him! He has spoiled me with his presence for over two years +and with all the advantages of his rich, fiery nature which he gave +lavishly. Now everything has become desolate and colorless to me, and I +do not know at times how I can bear life without him."</p> + +<p class="normal">They came to a standstill, for they had reached the limit of the park. +Green meadows lay before them in the sunlight, and over yonder rose the +heights of the forest mountains. Adelaide had listened in silence, +while her gaze was lost in the far distance; but now she turned +suddenly and stretched out her hand to her companion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe you can be a very sacrificing friend, Your Highness. Herr +Rojanow ought not to have left you; perhaps you could have saved him +from this--doom."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon could not believe his senses; the warmth of the heartfelt +tone--the eyes in which a tear glimmered--the whole, almost passionate, +sympathy with his sorrow surprised as much as it delighted him. He +grasped the hand fervently and pressed his lips upon it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If anything can console me for Hartmut's departure, it is your +sympathy!" he cried. "You will permit me to use the privilege of a +neighbor and come occasionally to Ostwalden? Do not deny me this, as I +am so lonely at Rodeck, and I came here only and solely----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He checked himself suddenly, for he felt that such a confession was not +appropriate but an offense, as he saw plainly.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young widow withdrew her hand quickly and drew back. It had +required only this moment to transform her again into "Aurora."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To flee from the heat and noise of a watering place like Ostend," she +finished coolly. "You said so, at least, a little while ago, Your +Highness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was a pretext," declared the Prince, gravely. "I left Ostend only +to put an end to certain rumors which were connected with my stay +there, and which even found their way into the papers. They were +positively without foundation so far as I am concerned, I give you my +word, Your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">He had quickly embraced the opportunity to dispel the error which he +did not wish to suffer at this place at any price, but the result did +not come up to his expectation. Frau von Wallmoden had again wrapped +herself up in her old, unapproachable manner and made him suffer for +his premature haste.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why this solemn explanation, Your Highness? As it was only a rumor, I +understand just as fully as your other neighbors that you wish to +retain the privilege of choice. But I believe we must return to the +castle, as you said that my brother-in-law had come with you, and I +should like to see him before he leaves."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon bowed assent, and tried obediently to accept the indifferent and +every-day tone by which he was made aware that he should not be +anything more here than a "neighbor." He took the first favorable +moment at the castle to make his excuses, which were immediately +accepted, but not without an invitation to come again had been given, +and that was at present the most important thing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Blamed haste!" he muttered as he galloped away. "Now I shall be kept +as distant as ever, perhaps for weeks. As soon as one tries to approach +the woman a little nearer--the ice stares into one's face. But"--and +here the face of the Prince lit up--"but at last the ice commences to +melt. I saw and felt it in that tone and look. I must be patient +here--the prize is worthy one's perseverance."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon von Adelsberg did not dream that this look and tone, upon which he +built his hopes, were for another, and that she wished only to hear +from that other when the permission to call again had been given.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XLVI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">July had only half gone when the world, which seemed but now to repose +in deepest calm, was suddenly startled from this peace. A lightning had +flamed up on the Rhine, the glare and uncanny light of which reached +from ocean to the Alps. A war-cloud stood heavy and threatening in the +west, and soon the cry of war resounded through the land.</p> + +<p class="normal">It broke over Southern Germany like a whirlwind--tore men from their +field of action, changed all conditions and overthrew all plans. Where +a week ago comfort and security reigned, men were now grasped and +carried away by storm.</p> + +<p class="normal">At Furstenstein the daughter of the house was celebrating her +betrothal, but she had to take leave of her betrothed, who hastened to +his regiment.</p> + +<p class="normal">At Waldhofen, where Willibald was expected for a long visit, he +appeared suddenly in stormy haste to see Marietta once more in the few +days which remained before he, too, should be called away.</p> + +<p class="normal">At Ostwalden, Adelaide prepared for departure, to once more embrace the +brother who had hastened to join the standard.</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince Adelsberg had left Rodeck at the first news of war, and hurried +to the Residenz, which he reached at the same hour as the Duke. The +world seemed all at once to have gotten an entirely changed face, and +the people with it.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the little garden of Dr. Volkmar's house stood Willibald von +Eschenhagen, talking earnestly and impressively with the grandfather of +his fiancée, who sat before him upon a bench, and did not seem to be +acquiescent to what Willy was explaining.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, my dear Willy, this is precipitation without an equal," the good +doctor said, shaking his head. "Your engagement with Marietta has not +yet been made public, and now you want to be married heels over head. +What will the world say to it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The world finds everything explained under the present circumstances," +returned Willibald; "and we cannot go after outside considerations. I +have to go to war, and it is my duty to secure Marietta's future in any +case. I cannot bear the thought that she should have to return to the +stage after my death, or should be dependent upon my mother's mercy. +The fortune to which I am heir is in my mother's hands, who disposes of +it exclusively. I possess as yet only the entailed estates which, in +case I die, go over to a side branch of the family; but our family law +secures the widow of the lord of the estates a rich dowry. If it should +not be granted me to return from battle, I want to give my fiancée at +least the name and position in life to which she has a right. I cannot +go to the war contentedly until this has been arranged first."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke quietly, but with much decision. The awkward, timid Willibald +could not be recognized in this young man, who overlooked the situation +so clearly and pleaded so earnestly for his wishes to be granted.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had had, however, a school of independence in those last six months, +when he had been put entirely upon his own resources, and had his +firmness continually tried in the contest with his mother; and one +could see that he had learned something in this school.</p> + +<p class="normal">His outward appearance was also more prepossessing; in fact, as the +Chief Forester expressed it, he had only now become a man.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Volkmar could not resist these arguments. He well knew that if the +war took away her betrothed, Marietta would again be without means and +without protection; and a burden fell from his heart at the thought of +her secure future. Therefore he gave up all argument and only asked: +"What does Marietta say to it? Has she given her consent?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; we decided on it last night, directly after my arrival. Of +course, I did not speak to her about security and widowhood, for she +would have been beside herself if I had dwelt at length upon the case +of my death; but I told her that in case of my being wounded, she, as +my wife, could hasten to me without preliminaries or companions, and +could remain with me, and this decided her. We should have had but a +quiet wedding, anyway."</p> + +<p class="normal">His face clouded at the last words, and the doctor said, with a sigh: +"Yes, indeed, none of us would have been inclined to celebrate the +wedding with festivities if the couple had to go to the altar without +the blessing of the mother. Have you really tried every way with her, +Willy?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Everything," replied the young lord, solemnly. "Do you think it will +be easy for me to miss my mother on such a day? But she has left me no +choice, therefore I must bear it. I shall now take the necessary steps +instantly, and in anticipation thereof have brought my papers with me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And do you believe that a marriage can be possible on such short +notice?" asked the doctor, doubtfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At this time, yes. The formalities have been reduced to the +necessities, and all preliminaries are dispensed with where a hasty +marriage is desired. As soon as Marietta is my wife, she will accompany +me to Berlin, where she will remain until my regiment leaves. Then she +will return to you until the close of the war."</p> + +<p class="normal">Volkmar arose and gave Willibald his hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right; it is perhaps best so under the present circumstances. +Well, my little <i>singvogel</i>, so you will really marry as quickly as +your betrothed wishes?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The question was addressed to Marietta, who now entered the garden. Her +pale cheeks showed the trace of tears, but it was with an exceedingly +happy look that she flew into Willibald's open arms.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am ready at any time, grandpapa," she said, simply. "The +leave-taking will be easier to us after we belong to each other and you +give your blessing."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old gentleman looked half sadly, half happily upon the young +couple, who wished to be united before their sad separation should so +quickly take place. Then he said, with emotion: "Well, so be it: marry +then with my blessing. I give it to you from my inmost heart."</p> + +<p class="normal">Everything necessary was then quickly discussed. The marriage was to +take place as soon as possible, and, of course, quietly and simply. +Willibald intended to go to Furstenstein to-day to notify the Chief +Forester of the settled plan.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Volkmar left them to make a call upon a patient, and Willibald +remained alone with his fiancée. They had not seen each other for so +long, and now the future lay dark and threatening before them. But the +next few days belonged to them, and they were happy in this thought, in +spite of everything.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XLVII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Engaged in their subdued chatting, they did not notice that the house +door was opened, and some one came with slow, rather hesitating steps +along the hall, until the rustle of a woman's dress upon the gravel +path made them listen, and suddenly both sprang to their feet.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My mother!" cried Willibald, in joyful surprise; but at the same time +he put his arm around Marietta as if he wished to protect her from a +renewed attack, for Frau von Eschenhagen's face seemed hard and gloomy, +and her bearing did not look like reconciliation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Without noticing the young girl, she turned to her son:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I learned through Adelaide that you were here," she began in a rather +harsh tone, "and I only wanted to ask how everything is at Burgsdorf. +Have you looked for a steward during your absence? One does not know +how long the war will last?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The joyous expression on the face of the young lord vanished. He had +really hoped for a different greeting at this unexpected appearance of +his mother.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have arranged everything to the best of my ability," he replied. +"The greater part of my people have been called to enlist; even the +inspector has to leave in a few days, and a substitute cannot be had +now. Work must therefore be reduced to the necessities, and old Martens +will overlook everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Martens is a goose," said Regine, in her old, terse way. "If he takes +the reins, everything at Burgsdorf will go topsy-turvy. Nothing else is +left for me to do but to go there myself and look after things right."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How? You would?" cried Willibald. But his mother cut him short.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think I would let your possessions go to nothing while you are +in the war? It will be securely cared for in my hands--you know that. I +have held the reins there long enough and will do it again--until you +return."</p> + +<p class="normal">She still spoke in the hard, cold tones, as if she wished to exclude +every warmer feeling. But now Willy stepped up to her, with his arm +still around his bride-elect.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will take care of my worldly possessions, mamma," he said, +reproachfully; "you will take them under your protection. But for the +best and dearest thing that belongs to me you have no word nor look. +Have you really only come to tell me that you will go to Burgsdorf?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Fran von Eschenhagen's harsh reticence could not hold fast at this +question. Her lips trembled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I came to see my only son once more before he goes to war--perhaps to +death," she said, with painful bitterness. "I had to hear from others +that he had come to say farewell to his bride. He did not come to his +mother, and that--that I could not bear."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We should have come," cried the young lord; "we should have made one +more attempt to win your heart before leaving. See, mother, here is my +bride-elect--my Marietta. She is waiting for a friendly word from you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine threw a long look upon the young couple, and again her face +quivered painfully as she saw how Marietta pressed shyly, but +confidently, to the man in whose protection she knew herself so secure. +Maternal jealousy stood a last, hard struggle; but finally she allowed +herself to be conquered. She stretched out her hand to the young girl.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I offended you once, Marietta," she said, in a half-stifled voice, +"and did you a possible wrong that time; but for that you have taken +from me my boy, who, until then, had not loved anybody but his mother, +and who now loves nobody but you. I believe we are quits."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, Willy loves his mother as dearly as ever," Marietta said heartily. +"I best know how he has suffered under the separation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So? Well, we will have to agree with each other for his sake," said +Regine, with an attempt at playfulness, which did not quite succeed. +"We shall be in a great deal of anxiety about him soon, when we know +him in the battlefield; care, anxiety, will be plentiful then. What do +you think, my child? I believe we could bear it easier if we worry +about him together."</p> + +<p class="normal">She opened her arms, and the next second Marietta lay sobbing upon her +breast. Tears glittered also in the eyes of the mother when she bent +down to kiss her future daughter-in-law; but then she said in the old, +commanding tone: "Do not cry; hold up your head, Marietta, for a +soldier's fiancée must be brave--remember that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A soldier's wife," corrected Willibald, who stood by with beaming +eyes. "We have just now decided to be married before I leave."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, Marietta really belongs to Burgsdorf," declared Regine, +who was hardly surprised, and seemed to find this decision quite in +order. "No arguments, child. The young Frau von Eschenhagen has nothing +to do further at Waldhofen, except as she comes for a visit to her +grandfather. Or are you perhaps afraid of your grim mother-in-law? But +I believe you have in him"--she pointed to her son--"a sufficient +protection, even if he is not at home. He would be capable of declaring +war upon his own mother if she did not bear his little wife upon her +hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And she will do that, I know it. When my mother opens her heart, she +does it perfectly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, now you can flatter," Frau von Eschenhagen said, with a rebuking +glance. "So you go with me to your future home, Marietta. You need not +worry about the duties; I will attend to that. When I go away again it +will be different; but I see already that Willy will hold you like a +princess all your life long. It is right with me, just so he returns to +us safe and sound."</p> + +<p class="normal">She reached out her hands now to her son, and those two had perhaps +never been in a closer or more loving embrace than to-day.</p> + +<p class="normal">When the three entered the house, a quarter of an hour later, they met +the Chief Forester, who actually started back at the sight of his +sister-in-law. Regine marked his surprise with the liveliest +satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Moritz, am I still the most unreasonable, obstinate person?" she +asked, offering her hand. But Schonan, who had not recovered from his +jilting, kept his behind him, and muttered something incomprehensible. +Then he turned to the young couple:</p> + +<p class="normal">"So? And now you are to be married in hot haste. I met Dr. Volkmar just +now and he told me about it; so I came to offer myself as best man. But +perhaps that will not be acceptable, since the Frau Mamma is at her +post."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, you are just as cordially welcome, uncle," cried Willibald.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, yes, I can just be used as a secondary person in a marriage," +grumbled the Chief Forester, with a reproachful glance at Regine. "And +so there will be a marriage before the war? One must say, Willy, you +have marched with seven-league boots from your practical Burgsdorf into +romance, and I should never have looked for it in you. However, my Toni +is just as intent upon romance. She and Waldorf would have liked best +to marry like this in steaming haste before marching orders came, but I +have vetoed that, for circumstances are different with us, and I do not +care to already sit at home, lonely as an owl."</p> + +<p class="normal">He glanced again with the very grimmest expression at Frau von +Eschenhagen, but she approached him now, and said, cordially: "Do not +bear malice, Moritz. So far we have always made up again. Let us forget +this quarrel also. You see, at least, that I can say 'Yes' for once, +when the whole happiness of my boy depends upon it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Chief Forester hesitated a moment longer, then grasped the offered +hand and pressed it cordially. "I see it," he acknowledged, "and +perhaps you will now forget altogether that blamed 'No,' Regine, about +another point."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XLVIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The Steward of Rodeck stood in the study of Prince Adelsberg's palace, +in the Residenz. He had been called there to receive various orders and +plans before the departure of his young lord.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon, who already wore the uniform of his regiment, had given him +verbal instructions, and now dismissed the old man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Keep the old forest nook in good order for me as heretofore," he +concluded. "It is just possible that I may go to Rodeck for a few hours +before I leave, but I hardly believe so, for the order to march may +come any day. How do I please you in my uniform?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He arose and drew himself up to his full height. The slender, youthful +form looked well in the uniform of a lieutenant, and Stadinger measured +him with admiring eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Real splendid!" he assured the Prince. "It is a pity that Your +Highness is not a soldier by profession."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think so? Well, I am one now, body and soul. Service in the +field will come rather hard to me, and I will have to get used to it +first. But it does not hurt when one is under strict discipline."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Your Highness, it will not hurt you at all," remarked Stadinger, +with his terrible truthfulness. "When Your Highness travels about for +years in the Orient with a great sea serpent and a whole herd of +elephants, or when you run away from the most gracious Court at Ostend +because you do not want to marry at all--nothing comes of that but +only----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But only stupidity," completed the Prince, wisely. "Stadinger, I shall +severely miss one thing in the campaign--your boundless tiresomeness. +You want to give me a last curtain lecture--I see it in your face--but +will spare you the trouble. Remember me rather to Lena when you get +home. Is she back at Rodeck now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Your Highness, <i>now</i> she is there," said the old man, with heavy +emphasis.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, because I march to France. But be content; I shall return a +genuine model of sense and virtue, and then--then I shall marry, too."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really?" Stadinger cried in joyful surprise. "How glad the most +gracious Court will be."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That depends," teased Egon. "I may terrorize the most gracious Court +with my engagement, and perhaps inflict cramps upon my most gracious +Aunt Sophie with it. Don't look so stupid at this, Stadinger. You don't +understand it, but I will permit you to crack your head over it +during the campaign. But now go, and if we should not see each other +again--keep your master in pleasant remembrance."</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger's face took on the grimmest of wrinkles to hide the upwelling +tears, but he could not succeed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How can Your Highness talk like that?" he muttered. "Shall I, an old +man, remain perhaps alone in this world, and not see you any more--so +handsome so young and happy! I could not live at that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I have vexed you so much, old Waldgeist," said the young Prince, +giving him his hand; "but you are right--we must think of victory and +not death. But, when both come together, then death is easy."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man bent over his master's hand, and a tear fell upon it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish I could go, too," he said, under his breath.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe it," laughed Egon; "and you would not look bad as a soldier, +in spite of your snow-white hair. But we younger ones have to march +now, and you old ones remain at home. Farewell, Stadinger----" He shook +his hand cordially. "I really believe you are crying. You ought to be +ashamed of yourself. Away with tears and sad anticipations. You will +yet read me another lecture."</p> + +<p class="normal">"May God grant it!" sighed Peter Stadinger, from the depths of his +heart. With wet eyes he looked once more into the youthful face, so +full of life, smiling at him, so happy and sure of victory. Then he +left sadly, with bowed head, realizing how much his young master had +grown into his heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince cast a glance at the clock. He was to go to his superior, +but saw that he had almost an hour yet, so he reached for the +newspapers and plunged into the newest dispatches and reports.</p> + +<p class="normal">A rapid footstep sounded in the ante-room. Egon looked up in surprise. +Servants were not in the habit of making such a noise, and callers were +always announced. But this caller did not need any announcing, as all +the servants knew. All doors were open to him in the house of Prince +Adelsberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut, is it you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon sprang to his feet in joyful surprise, and cast himself on the +breast of the newcomer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You back in Germany, and I have no idea of it! You wicked monster, to +leave me for fully two months without news of you! Have you come to say +good-by to me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut had neither returned the greeting nor the stormy embrace. +Silently and gloomily he suffered both, and when he spoke at last, even +his tone betrayed nothing of the joy of this <i>Wiedersehen</i>.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I came straight from the depot. I hardly dared hope to find you still +here, and yet everything depends upon it for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But why did you not announce your return to me? I wrote you +immediately after the declaration of war. You were still in Sicily +then, were you not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I left there as soon as war seemed unavoidable, and did not +receive your letter. I have been in Germany a week."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you come to me only now?" said Egon, reproachfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow did not notice this reproach. His eyes rested upon his friend's +uniform with almost a jealous expression.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are already on duty, I see," he said, hastily. "I also intend to +enter the German army."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon evidently expected something entirely different. He retreated a +step in boundless surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the German army? You--a Roumanian?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and therefore I have come to you. Will you make it possible for +me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I?" asked the Prince, whose surprise grew greater and greater. "I am +nothing more than a young officer. If you are really in earnest in this +strange resolve, you must go to one of the standing posts of command."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have already done that at various places. I have tried it even in +your neighboring state, but they will not accept the stranger. They +demand all sorts of papers and references, which I do not possess, and +torture me with endless questions. Everywhere suspicion and mistrust +affront me. Nobody will understand my resolve."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To speak the truth, Hartmut, I don't understand it, either," said +Egon, solemnly. "You have always showed such a deep antipathy to +Germany--you are the son of a country whose higher circles know only +French education and customs--which stands in sympathy exclusively with +France. The mistrust of strangers is easily understood. But why do you +not turn directly to the Duke, and personally accomplish your desires? +You know how prepossessed he is with the poet of 'Arivana.' It will +cost you only an audience, which will be granted you at any time, and +an order from him will remove every difficulty and admit every +exception."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rojanow's glance fell, and his clouded brow grew darker as he replied: +"I know that, but I cannot ask anything from that side. The Duke would +put the same questions as all the rest, and I could not withhold the +answer from him, and the truth--I cannot tell it to him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not even to me?" asked the Prince, stepping up to him and laying his +hand on Hartmut's shoulder. "Why do you insist so persistently upon +entering our army? What do you look for under our colors?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut passed his hand across his brow, as if to wipe something away +from there. Then he replied, heavily and huskily:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Salvation--or death."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You return as you went--a puzzle," said Egon, shaking his head. "You +have hitherto refused every explanation. Can I not now learn your +secret?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Obtain me an entrance into your army, and I will tell you everything," +Rojanow cried in feverish excitement. "No matter under what conditions, +only see that it is granted me. But do not speak to the Duke nor to a +general, but turn to one of the lower commanders. Your name, your +relationship with the reigning house makes your word powerful. They +will not answer Prince Adelsberg with a 'No' when he himself speaks for +a volunteer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the same question will be put to him as to you--you, a Roumanian."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no," cried Hartmut, passionately. "If I must confess it to you--I +am a German."</p> + +<p class="normal">The effect of this disclosure was not as great as Hartmut might have +feared. The Prince looked at him for a moment, amazed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have thought so at times, for the one who could compose an Arivana +in the German language did not get this language by education, but had +grown up with it. But you bear the name Rojanow----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The name of my mother, who belonged to a Roumanian--Bojar's family. My +name is--Hartmut von Falkenried."</p> + +<p class="normal">His own name sounded strange in his ears, for he had not pronounced it +for years; but Egon grew attentive at the name.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Falkenried? That was the name of the Prussian Colonel who came on that +secret mission from Berlin. Are you any connection of his?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is my father."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Prince looked compassionately upon his friend, for he saw how +terribly hard this confession came to him. He felt that a family drama +was hidden here, and, too delicate to investigate further, he only +asked: "And you do not want to proclaim yourself the son of your +father, not a Falkenried? Every Prussian regiment would be open to you +then."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, they would be closed to me forever. I fled from the cadets' school +ten years ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut!" Absolute terror was in the exclamation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you also, like my father, consider me worthy of death for it? You, +of course, have grown up in freedom and have no conception of the iron +rule which reigns in these institutions; of the tyranny with which one +is bent under the yoke of blind obedience. I could not stand it. I was +forced to freedom and light. I begged--entreated my father--but in +vain. He held me fast in the chain--when I broke it, and fled with my +mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">He uttered this, all with wild, desperate defiance; but his eyes rested +anxiously upon the face of his listener. His father, with his severe +ideas of honor, had sentenced him; but his friend, who idolized him, +who in passionate enthusiasm admired his genius and all that he did--he +<i>must</i> understand the necessity of his step. But this friend was +silent, and in this silence lay the sentence.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XLIX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"You too, Egon?"</p> + +<p class="normal">In the tone of the questioner who waited several minutes in vain for an +answer, there lay deep bitterness. "And you too, Egon, who have so +often told me that nothing should hamper the flight of the poet; that +he must break the fetters which would hold him to the ground. I did +that--and you would have done the same."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince drew himself up with the firmness of decision.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Hartmut; you are mistaken there. Perhaps I should have fled from a +strict school, but from the colors--never!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Here it was again--the harsh words which he had already heard once +before--"fled from the colors." It forced the blood to his brow again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why did you not become an officer?" continued Egon. "You could +have become one early at your home; you could have taken your leave +then at an age when life only commences. Then you would have been +free--honorably."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut was silent. His father had told him the same, but he had not +wanted to wait and submit himself to rules. A barrier had stood in his +way, and he simply threw it down unconcernedly. But he threw down duty +and honor with it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not know all that stormed upon me at that time," he replied, +heavily. "My mother--I do not wish to accuse her--but she has been my +doom. My father had separated from her in early life. I thought her +dead, when suddenly she entered my life and snatched me to her with her +burning mother love--with her promise of freedom and happiness. She +alone is responsible for that unfortunate breaking of my word----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What word?" interrupted Egon, excitedly. "Had you sworn to the +standard?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, but I had given my father my word to return when he allowed me the +last conversation with my mother----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Instead of which you fled with her?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="normal">The answer was almost inaudible and was followed by a long pause. The +Prince spoke never a word; but in his open, sunny face deep, bitter +pain was depicted--the bitterest of his life, for at this moment he +lost his so passionately loved friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last Hartmut resumed, but he did not raise his eyes. "You understand +now why I want to force an entrance into the army at any price. Now +that war has broken out, the man can atone for the boy's sin. Therefore +I left Sicily immediately after the first threatening news, and flew as +in a storm to Germany. I hoped to be able to hasten to arms. I had no +idea of all the difficulties and hindrances which would be put in my +way. But you can put them aside, if you intercede for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I cannot do that," said Egon, coldly. "After what I have heard +just now, this is impossible."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut turned deathly white and stepped up close to Egon with a +vehement gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot? That means--you will not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince was silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Egon!" Wild, stormy entreaty was in the tone. "You know I have never +made a request of you--this is the first and last one. But now I +beg--entreat you for this friendly service. It is the relief from the +doom which has hung over me since that hour. The reconciliation with my +father--the reconciliation with myself--you must help me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot," repeated the Prince. "The rejection to which you have been +subjected may hurt you deeply--I believe it--but it is only just. You +have broken with your fatherland--with your duties--and that cannot be +mended so easily without anything further, when one has become of a +different opinion. You fled from the service of our standard--you, the +son of an officer! Now the army is closed to you, and you must bear +it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you tell me that so calmly--so coldly!" cried Hartmut, beside +himself. "Do you not see that it is a question of life or death to me? +I saw my father again that day at Rodeck, when he hastened to the +deathbed of Wallmoden. He crushed me with his contempt--with the awful +words he threw into my face. It was that which drove me away from +Germany, which chased me ceaselessly from place to place. His words +went with me and made life a hell to me. I have greeted the war cry as +a deliverance. I want to fight for the fatherland which I once cast +from me, and now the door which is open to every one is closed to me +alone. Egon, you turn from me! Oh--there is only one way left for me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">With a sudden, passionate motion he turned to the table, where the +Prince's pistols were lying; but the Prince sprang at him and tore him +back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut, are you out of your senses?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps I shall be so. All of you torture me beyond endurance."</p> + +<p class="normal">Boundless despair lay in those words.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon, too, had turned pale, and his voice trembled as he said: "Before +it goes so far--I will try to find an opening in a regiment for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At last! I thank you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"However, I cannot promise you anything, for the Duke has to be put +altogether aside now. Besides, he leaves to-morrow for the battlefield. +Should he learn later on that you serve in his corps, we shall then be +in the midst of the storm of war, and one does not ask 'How' and 'Why' +in the face of a completed fact. But it may take days before the +decision arrives. Will you be my guest?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Formerly the Prince would have accepted that as only natural and would +have been exasperated if his friend had refused; now he made the +inquiry, and Hartmut felt what lay in the cold question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I shall not remain in town," he replied. "I shall go to the +Forester at Rodeck, and I beg that you will send your answer there. I +can return here in a few hours."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you wish. Then you will not go to the castle?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut gazed at him with a long, sad look.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; to the Forester's. Farewell, Egon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">They parted without a pressure of the hand, without a further word, and +when the door closed behind him, Hartmut knew that he had lost the +friend who had idolized him. Judged here, too--and cast out! He had to +atone terribly for the old guilt.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER L.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Over the Wald hung a dark, cloudy sky, which, from time to time, sent +down showers of rain. Gray mists clung around the heights, and storms +raged through the crowns of the trees. It was a regular autumn day in +the middle of summer.</p> + +<p class="normal">The mistress of Ostwalden was alone at her castle. She had received +news from her brother that he had already left, and that the meeting +planned between them could not take place. Therefore Adelaide had +postponed her departure to be present at the marriage of Willibald and +Marietta, which was quietly celebrated in the presence of the nearest +relatives.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young couple had left for Berlin, where Willibald was to join his +regiment immediately. His young wife wished to remain near him the few +days before the order came to march. From there she was to go to +Burgsdorf, whither her mother-in-law had preceded her.</p> + +<p class="normal">The morning hours had not yet passed when Prince Adelsberg drove up to +the castle of Ostwalden. He had asked for leave of absence to-day to +"arrange some important matters"; but the important matters did not +carry him to Rodeck, but to Ostwalden. He came to say farewell to +Adelaide, whom he had not seen since that first visit.</p> + +<p class="normal">As his carriage entered the castle yard, they met the priest of the +neighboring village with the holy sacrament, and attendant chorister. +Apparently the last rites had been administered to one seriously ill. +The Prince inquired to whom the sad visit had been paid, and learned +that it was to one of the inspectors of the estate, and that the +mistress of the castle was at present with the dying man; but the guest +should be announced to her instantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon restlessly paced up and down the reception room, into which he had +been shown. He had come here to obtain an assurance, without which he +did not feel able to march into a campaign of life or death; and the +uncertainty with which such a campaign was ever taken, must serve as +apology for thus approaching a young widow still in deep mourning. It +need not yet be a proposal. He wanted to take with him only a hope the +promise of which had risen so brightly at their last meeting, when +Adelaide had shown such warm interest in his sorrow about his absent +friend. He did not dream that he had made a fatal mistake. Still, in +spite of this, a deep shadow rested upon the face of the Prince, +usually so cheerful. It was not the leave-taking which gave him pain, +for he went to the battlefield with glowing enthusiasm and the happy +faith of youth, which dreams only of victory, and rejects all dark +prospects. Besides, he dreamed of another happiness in the future, +which he wished to secure now.</p> + +<p class="normal">The door opened to admit Frau von Wallmoden.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon for detaining you so long, Your Highness," she said, +after the first greetings. "It was probably told you that I was beside +a deathbed?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I learned so upon my arrival," replied Egon, who had hastened to meet +her. "Is the case really so serious?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Alas, yes! poor Tanner! He used to be tutor in a family in the +neighborhood, but had to give up his position on account of a serious +illness. At the request of the Chief Forester, I gave him employment in +cataloguing my husband's library, which had been sent to Ostwalden, and +it was hoped that he would quite recover in the easy office and the +invigorating forest air. He was so grateful for it, and told me only +yesterday how happy his mother was that he should be excused from +military service, on account of not being yet quite well. But suddenly +this morning he had a hemorrhage, and the physician tells me that he +can live but an hour longer. It is awful to see a young life bleed to +death like that!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet this will happen to thousands in the next few weeks," said +Egon, gravely. "Have you been with the poor man?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, at his request. He knew how it was with him, and wished to lay a +prayer upon my heart for his old mother, who loses in him her only +support. I have calmed his mind on that subject, but it was all I could +do for him----"</p> + +<p class="normal">One could see how deeply the scene at the deathbed had impressed the +young widow, and Egon, too, felt deep compassion at the narrative.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I come to say farewell," he said, after a short pause. "We march the +day after to-morrow, and I could not deny myself a visit to you once +more. I am happy to have found you here, as I understand you intend +leaving soon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, for Berlin. Lonely Ostwalden is so far remote, and in this time +of feverish expectation one wishes to be as near the centre of +communications and connections as possible. I am anxious about my +brother, who has joined the standard."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again a pause ensued, and the Prince was about to break it with +expression of what lay so near his heart, when Frau von Wallmoden +anticipated him with a question, asked with apparent indifference, but +in a voice which trembled slightly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You were in much anxiety about the non-arrival of news of your friend +at your last visit, Your Highness. Have you heard from him yet?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon's eyes fell, and the shadow which had been dispelled during the +conversation returned, heavily and gloomily, to his face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," he replied, coldly. "Rojanow is back in Germany."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Since the declaration of war?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he came----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To join the army! Oh, I knew it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince looked at her amazed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You knew it, Your Excellency? I thought you had known Hartmut as a +Roumanian only, and through me."</p> + +<p class="normal">A deep blush suffused the cheeks of the young Frau von Wallmoden. She +felt the exclamation had been a betrayal, but she quickly regained +composure. "I became acquainted with Herr Rojanow last fall, when he +was your guest at Rodeck," she answered, composedly; "but I have known +his father for long years, and he---- I suppose your Highness knows all +that has happened?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I know it now," said Egon, with heavy emphasis.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Colonel Falkenried was a near friend of my father's and visited our +house frequently, although I had never heard of his son. I had +considered the Colonel childless until that awful hour at Rodeck, the +day my husband died. Then I learned the truth, and was a witness of a +meeting between father and son."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince breathed a sigh of relief at this explanation, which +dispelled the disastrous thought just dawning upon him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I understand your concern, then," he replied. "Colonel Falkenried is, +indeed, to be pitied."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He only?" asked Adelaide, struck by the harsh tone of the last words. +"And your friend?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no friend--I have lost him!" cried Egon, with passionate pain. +"What he confessed to me two days ago opened an abyss between us, and +what I know now parts us forever."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You judge the misdemeanor of a seventeen-year-old lad very severely. +He must have been only a boy then."</p> + +<p class="normal">A deep reproach lay in the words of the young widow; but the Prince +shook his head vehemently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not speak of that flight and that breaking of his word, although +they weigh heavily with the son of an officer. But what I heard +yesterday--I see you do not yet know the worst, gracious lady, and how +should you? Spare me this report."</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide had turned pale, and her eyes, full of fear, hung fixed upon +the speaker.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"I beg of Your Highness," Adelaide commenced again, "to tell me the +truth--the whole truth. You said that Herr Rojanow had returned to join +the army. I had thought he would--had expected it--for it is the only +thing by which he can atone for his old guilt. Has he joined the +standard already?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Happily it has not gone so far, and that has spared me a heavy +responsibility," said Egon, with supreme bitterness. "He reported to +several regiments, but was refused everywhere."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Refused! But why?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because he did not dare to confess himself a German, and because a +very just suspicion was raised toward the strange Roumanian. One has to +be cautious at the present time that no--spies may force their way into +the ranks of our armies."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For God's sake, what do you mean?" cried Adelaide, who began now to +comprehend the situation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon sprang up in great excitement and drew nearer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you wish, then, to know it, gracious lady--listen. Hartmut came to +me and requested me to use my influence to make the entrance into one +of our regiments possible to him. I refused at first, but he forced me +to consent by a threat which was hardly meant seriously. I kept my word +and asked one of our higher officers, whose brother was secretary to +our embassy at Paris and who had just returned from there with him. +This gentleman was present at our interview. He heard the name, +Rojanow--inquired further into the matter and gave me disclosures; I +cannot repeat them. I have loved Hartmut as I have nothing else upon +this earth--have almost idolized him. I let myself be carried away by +the force of his genius, and now I learn that the friend who was +everything to me is a monster; that he and his mother did service as +spies at Paris. Perhaps he wished to do the same in our army!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He covered his eyes with his hand, and there was something awful in the +agony of the young man whose idol had been so ruthlessly shattered.</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide had risen, and the hand with which she leaned upon the back of +the chair trembled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what have you--has he--answered to that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you mean Rojanow? I have not seen him since and shall not see him +again. I shall spare myself and him that much. He is now at the +forestry at Rodeck and awaits my answer there. I have notified him in +three lines of what I learned, without adding a remark or a word. He +has probably received the letter and will understand it sufficiently."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good God! that will drive him to his death," Adelaide burst forth. +"How could you do it! How could you judge the unfortunate one without +hearing him!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The unfortunate one!" repeated the Prince cuttingly. "Do you really +consider him that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, for I do not hear these awful accusations for the first time. His +father cast them in his face at that meeting."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, if even his own father accuses him----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The deeply offended, deeply embittered man! He cannot have an unbiased +judgment, but you--the friend of Hartmut--you, who stood so near +him--you ought to have stepped in and defended him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon looked with questioning surprise upon the excited lady.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You appear to wish to do so now, Your Excellency," he said slowly. "I +cannot do it, for there is too much in Hartmut's life which confirms +the suspicion. It explains everything to me that has hitherto seemed +mysterious. These are quite decided facts upon which the accusation is +based----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Against the mother! She has ever been the doom--the ruin--of her son; +but he did not know the shameful work to which she had fallen; he lived +at her side ignorant of it. I saw how he broke down when his father +uttered the awful words--how he struggled against it as in a death +struggle. That was truth--that was the despair of a man who is being +punished more deeply than he has transgressed. That flight--that +breaking of his word--robs him now of the faith of those who stand +nearest to him. But if his father and his friend both so judge him--<i>I +believe in him!</i> It is not true! He is not guilty!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She had drawn herself fully erect in her stormy excitement. Her cheeks +glowed; her eyes sparkled, and her tone and words contained that +convincing passion which only love knows when defending the loved one.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon stood there transfixed and looked at her. There it was--the +awakening, of which he had often dreamed, Fire and life glowed there +now--a blooming world arose from the ice; but it was another who had +called it forth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not dare to decide as to whether you are right, gracious lady," +said the Prince in a toneless voice, after a brief silence. "I only +know one thing. Whether Hartmut be guilty or not, he is enviable in +this hour."</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide shrank back; she understood the hint and lowered her head +mutely before the reproachful glance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I came to say farewell," continued Egon. "I intended to add a +question--a prayer--to this leave-taking, but that is over now. I have +only to bid you farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide raised her eyes, in which hot tears glistened, and offered her +hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Farewell, and may God take you in His care and keeping during the +campaign!"</p> + +<p class="normal">But Prince Adelsberg shook his head silently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What shall I do with life?" he finally cried in overwhelming sorrow. +"I should like best--no, do not look at me so entreatingly! I know now +that I made a fatal mistake, and I will not torture you with a +confession; but, Adelaide, I would gladly die could I buy with death +the look and tone you had just now for another. Farewell!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Once more he pressed her hand to his lips, then hastened away.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The storm had increased in violence during the afternoon. It roamed in +the forest, dashed among the open heights and chased the clouds over +the sky with increasing wrath. It raged with full force around that +forest height which had once witnessed such a significant encounter +between two people, but the man who leaned there now alone and lonely +at the trunk of a tree did not seem to feel it, for he stood immovable +in the midst of it.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut's face was deathly pale; a stony, unnatural calm rested upon +it, and the sparkle of the eyes had died out, while the hair fell heavy +and damp over his brow. The storm had torn his hat from his head; he +had noticed it as little as the rain which drenched him.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had found himself at this place after hours of roaming through the +forest--here, where a remembrance drew him unconsciously. It was the +right place for his purpose.</p> + +<p class="normal">The news which had been looked for so feverishly had finally come; no +letter; nothing but a few lines without any preface, and with only the +signature, "Egon--Prince Adelsberg." But in these lines there lay +annihilation for him who received them. Cast out forever--judged by his +friend without a hearing! Doom had awfully fulfilled itself in the son +of Zalika.</p> + +<p class="normal">The crashing of a huge limb which broke under the pressure of the storm +and fell whizzing to the ground, aroused Hartmut from his despairing +revery. He had not even started at the crash, but slowly turned his +glance to the heavy mass which fell close to him. A foot nearer and it +would have struck him--would perhaps have made an end of all the shame +and torture in one moment; but death was not made so easy for him. That +blessing came to him only who loved life--he who wished to throw it +away must do so with his own hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut took the gun from his shoulder and put the butt to the ground; +then he laid his hand upon his breast to find the right place. Once +more he glanced up to the veiled skies with their scudding masses of +clouds, and down to the little dark forest lake in the deceiving +meadow, over which the fog clustered as at that time at home. The +beckoning, charming will-o'-the-wisp had appeared to him there; he had +followed the flame of the depths, and now it drew him down hopelessly; +there was no further rising into the heights where other, brighter +lights shone. A bullet in the heart and everything would be at an end.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was about to grasp the trigger when he heard his name called in a +tone of deadly anxiety. A slender figure in a dark cloak sprang toward +him from the edge of the forest, and the weapon fell from his hand, for +he gazed into the face of Adelaide, who stood trembling before him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Moments passed without a word from either. It was Hartmut who recovered +first.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You here, gracious lady?" he asked with enforced calmness. "Are you +out in the forest in this weather?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should like to put the same question to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have been hunting, but the weather is unpropitious, and I was about +to discharge my gun----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He did not finish, for the sad, reproachful glance upon him told that +the lie was in vain. He broke off and looked gloomily before him. +Adelaide, too, gave up all pretense, and in her voice all her anxiety +trembled as she cried: "Herr von Falkenried, what did you intend to +do?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What would have now been done had you not interfered," said Hartmut, +harshly. "And believe me, gracious lady, it would have been better if +coincidence had brought you here a few moments later."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was no coincidence. I was at the forestry at Rodeck, and heard that +you had been gone for hours. An awful presentiment drove me to look for +you here. I was almost sure I should find you here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You looked for me? Me, Ada?" His voice shook at the question. "How did +you know that I was at the forestry?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Through Prince Adelsberg, who called to see me this morning. You +received a letter from him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, only a communication," returned Hartmut with quivering lips. "No +single word was directed to me personally in the short lines; they +brought only a communication in a business tone which the Prince +thought necessary. I fully understood it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Adelaide was silent; she had known it would drive him to suicide. +Slowly she walked with him under the protection of the trees, for it +was hardly possible to keep erect out in the open space in this raging +storm, but Hartmut did not seem to feel it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know the contents of the communication--I see that you do," he +commenced again, "and it is not new to you, either. You overheard what +happened that night at Rodeck, but believe me, Ada, what I felt at that +moment when you stood before me in that ghostly glow which shone +through that night, and it grew clear to me that I had been ground into +the dust before you--what I felt might have satisfied even my father's +vengeance, might have atoned for all my sin."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do him wrong," replied the young widow solemnly. "You saw him only +in the stern, iron inflexibility with which he cast you from him. I saw +him differently after you had gone. He broke down there in wild +anguish; he then let me look into the heart of a despairing father who +loved his son above everything. Have you not made an attempt since then +to convince him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; he would believe me as little as Egon does. He who has once broken +his word, has lost forever their faith, even if he would regain it with +his life. Perhaps my death upon the battlefield would have enlightened +them, but when I fall now by my own hand they will see in it only the +deed of a despairing man--a guilty one--and will despise me even in my +grave."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not everybody will do that," said Adelaide lowly. "I believe in you, +Hartmut, in spite of everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked at her, and through the gloomy hopelessness of his soul there +flamed something of the old fire.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You, Ada? And you tell me that upon this spot where you cast me off? +You did not know anything about me then----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And for that reason I shuddered before the man to whom nothing was +sacred--who recognized no law but his will and his passions; but that +winter night, when I saw you at your father's feet, showed me that you +fell more through doom than guilt. Since then I have known that you can +and must cast that unfortunate inheritance from your mother far from +you. Rouse yourself, Hartmut. The road which I then showed you is still +open; whether it leads to life or death--it leads upward."</p> + +<p class="normal">He shook his head gloomily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, that is past. You have no conception of what my father has done to +me with his terrible words. What my life has been since then I--but let +me be silent about it; nobody can grasp it; but I thank you for your +faith in me, Ada. Death is made easier to me through that faith."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young widow made a quick motion toward the weapon which lay at his +feet.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For God's sake, no! You dare not do that!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What am I to do with life?" Hartmut burst forth with terrible +vehemence. "My mother has branded me as with a red-hot iron, and this +closes to me every way to atonement--to salvation. I am cast out from +the ranks of my people, where even the poorest peasant can fight; a +privilege which is denied only to the dishonorable criminal, is denied +also to me, for I am nothing else in Egon's eyes. He fears that I might +become a traitor--a spy to my own brothers!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He covered his face with both hands, and the last words died in a sob; +then he felt a hand touch his arm gently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The brand is extinguished with the name Rojanow. Throw that from you, +Hartmut; I bring you what you tried in vain to obtain--entrance into +the army!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut started and gazed at her in unbelief.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Impossible! How could you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take these papers," interrupted Adelaide, drawing forth a package. +"They are made out in the name of Joseph Tanner 29 years old, slender, +with dark complexion, black hair and eyes--you see everything will +suit--with these nobody will refuse you an entrance as a volunteer."</p> + +<p class="normal">She gave him the papers, around which his right hand closed +spasmodically as upon the most precious jewel.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And these papers?" he asked, still doubting.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Belong to a dead man. They were given me for another purpose, but the +deceased has no further use for them and will pardon me if with them I +save a living man."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut stormily opened the package. The wind almost tore the sheets +from his hand and he was scarcely able to decipher the contents as the +young widow continued:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Joseph Tanner had a small office at Ostwalden, when seized with a +hemorrhage this morning. He had but a few hours to live and gave me his +last words and mementos for his mother. The poor woman shall receive +everything--every letter, every scrap which can be a solace to her, but +I have taken the official papers--for you. We do not rob anybody in +doing this, for they are valueless to the mother to whom they now +belong. Perhaps a strict judge would call that deceit, but I gladly +shoulder the blame, and God will pardon it, and so will the +fatherland."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut closed the case and hid it in his breast, which heaved under a +deep, deep breath. Then he drew himself up and pushed the rain-soaked +locks from the high brow, so like his father's--his only inheritance +from the Falkenrieds, but which gave him an unmistakable resemblance to +them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right, Ada," he said. "I cannot thank you in words for what +you have done for me. Words have no power, but--I shall strive to +deserve it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know that. Farewell and--<i>auf wiedersehen!</i>"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, do not wish that," said Hartmut gloomily. "Death in battle can +exonerate me to myself, but not to my father or Egon, for they would +never hear of it; and if I remained among the living the old stain +would return; but when I fall, tell them who rests under the foreign +name. Perhaps then they will believe you and remove the curse from my +grave."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you want to fall?" asked Adelaide with plaintive reproach, "even if +I tell you that you sadden me inexpressibly?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sadden you, Ada!" he cried passionately. "Do you no longer shudder at +my love--at the fate which drew us together? Oh, I might have possessed +the highest happiness, for you are--free; but it comes near to me now +for only a fleeting moment, and vanishes again into unattainable +heights, like the form of the legend who bears your name in my drama. +Nevertheless, it has approached me, and I may be permitted for once +only to clasp it to me in farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">He drew her to him and pressed a kiss upon the brow of his love, who +leaned against him sobbing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut, promise me that you will not seek death."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; but it will know how to find me. Farewell, my own Ada."</p> + +<p class="normal">He tore himself away hastily. Adelaide remained alone. The storm roared +above her head; the giant crowns of the trees moaned and swayed; the +storm sang its wild song on and on, but suddenly over in the west there +flamed a dark-red rent through the clouds. It was only for a brief +moment--only one solitary ray of the sinking sun, but it shiningly +illumined the forest height and the departing one, who turned once more +and sent back a last greeting. Then the clouds massed together again, +and the ray was extinguished.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The reddish, flickering glow of a wood fire lighted up the interior of +a small, isolated house which had formerly served as a dwelling to a +station-keeper, but was now pressed into service for the sentinels of +the outpost. The room did not bear an expression of cosiness with its +bare, smoked walls, low ceiling and small, barricaded windows, but the +tremendous logs which flared and burned in the uncouth stone fireplace +offered a very welcome warmth, for it was bitterly cold out of doors, +and the whole country was buried in the snow of a severe winter.</p> + +<p class="normal">The regiment here was hardly better off than their comrades before +Paris, although they belonged to the Southern army corps.</p> + +<p class="normal">At present two young officers were entering, and the one who still held +the door open called laughingly to the one preceding: "Please bend +down, Herr Comrade, or you might take our door frame along, for our +villa is in rather a dilapidated condition, as you see."</p> + +<p class="normal">The warning was not without need, for the giant figure of the guest--a +Prussian Lieutenant of the Reserve--was not at all in proportion to the +door. Nevertheless, he succeeded in entering safely and looked around +at the four walls, while his companion, who wore the uniform of a South +German regiment, continued: "Permit me to offer you a seat in our +'salon,' which is not so bad considering the circumstances. We have +already had it worse during the campaign. So you are looking for +Stahlberg? He is with my comrade out at the post, but will probably +return directly. You will have to be patient for a quarter of an hour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With pleasure," assured the Prussian. "I see from that that Eugene's +injury is really as slight as he reported. I looked for him in the +hospital, and heard that he was making a visit to the outposts, but as +we shall probably march on by to-morrow, I did not wish to let this +opportunity pass by unimproved, and therefore came to see him now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"His wound was indeed only slight--a shot in the arm, which is already +far advanced toward healing, but will, nevertheless, disable him for +service for a short time. You are a friend of Stahlberg?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and connected besides through the marriage of his sister. I +see that you do not remember me, Your Highness. Let me give you my +name--Willibald von Eschenhagen. We met last year----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At Furstenstein," interrupted Egon von Adelsberg quickly. "Certainly, +now I remember you perfectly. It is remarkable how the uniform changes +one; I really did not know you at first."</p> + +<p class="normal">He glanced with a half-admiring look at the once awkward country squire +who had appeared so ridiculous to him, but who now possessed a stately, +military appearance.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was not the uniform alone, though, which had changed Willibald so +completely. What love had begun the campaign had finished by tearing +him from the accustomed surroundings and circumstances. The young Baron +had not only, as his Uncle Schonan expressed it, "become a man," but +had developed into a true, genuine man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our meeting at that time was a brief one," continued the Prince, "but +nevertheless you will permit me to offer my congratulations? You are +betrothed----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe you are under a mistake, Your Highness," interrupted +Willibald with some embarrassment. "Although I had been introduced to +you at Furstenstein as the future son-in-law of the house, but----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That has been changed," finished Egon, smiling. "I knew it, for the +comrade of whom I spoke just now is Lieutenant Waldorf, the happy +fiancé of Baroness Schonan. My words were meant for Fraulein Marietta +Volkmar."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At present Frau von Eschenhagen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! You are already married?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have been for five months. We were married just before marching orders +came, and my wife is now at Burgsdorf with my mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then accept my congratulations on your marriage. But really, Herr +Comrade, I ought to call you to account for the unwarrantable damage +you have done to art. Please tell your wife that, as far as I can learn +out here in the campaign, the entire Residenz still mourns her loss in +sackcloth and ashes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall not forget it, although I fear the Residenz has not much time +for such mourning at present. Ah, the gentlemen are returning--I hear +Eugene's voice."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steps were heard outside and the expected ones entered. Young Stahlberg +greeted his relative with an exclamation of the most joyful surprise. +He had not seen Willibald during the campaign, although both served in +the same army corps. He still bore his arm in a sling, but otherwise +looked well and happy.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugene did not possess the beauty of his sister, and the feature of +decided will-power which the daughter had inherited from her father was +missing. The son showed a gentle, more conciliatory nature in his +appearance as well as demeanor, but still he resembled his sister +closely, which might have been the cause of Prince Adelsberg's intimacy +with him.</p> + +<p class="normal">His companion, a handsome young officer with sparkling, saucy eyes, now +approached, and the Prince performed the introduction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will not fear that the gentlemen will challenge each other when I +mention the names," he said, jestingly. "They are obliged to be +called--so then, Herr von Eschenhagen--Herr von Waldorf."</p> + +<p class="normal">"God forbid! For my part I am peace personified," cried Waldorf gayly. +"Herr von Eschenhagen, I am glad to meet the cousin of my fiancée, and +so much more so because he is already in the bonds of holy matrimony. +We also would have liked to do as you did--marry before the march--but +my father-in-law put on his grimmest mien and declared, 'Gain victory +first and then marry.' Well, we have done the first continually for +five months, and as soon as I return home I shall speedily ask for the +second."</p> + +<p class="normal">He cordially shook the hand of his bride-elect's former fiancé, then +turned to the Prince.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We brought along something for Your Highness--something we seized +outside. Orderly of Rodeck, advance to His Highness--the Lieutenant, +Prince Adelsberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">The door opened, and in spite of the gathering twilight the Prince +recognized the wrinkled face and snow-white hair of him who entered. He +started.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All good spirits defend us! It is Peter Stadinger!"</p> + +<p class="normal">It was, indeed, the live Stadinger who stood before his young master. +He did not seem to be wholly a stranger to the others, for although +they now saw him for the first time, they greeted his appearance with +the liveliest joy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Above everything, let us have light to take a good look at the +'Waldgeist' of His Highness," cried Waldorf, lighting candles and +holding them with comical solemnity close before the old man.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon laughed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You see, Stadinger, what a well-known and frequently spoken of person +you are here. Now let me introduce you in proper form. Behold here, +gentlemen, Peter Stadinger--celebrated for his unequaled churlishness +and his moral lectures, which make one quake. He probably thinks I +cannot exist without them, and he will doubtless give to me here also +upon the battlefield the satisfaction of this friendly habit. I hope +that some of it will fall upon your heads, gentlemen--and now begin, +Stadinger!"</p> + +<p class="normal">But the old man, instead of obeying, grasped the hand of his master in +both of his and said in a heartrending tone: "Ach, Your Highness, how +we have trembled and feared for you at Rodeck!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, that is polite!" said Eugene Stahlberg, but the Prince assumed a +displeased air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So? And you therefore took to your legs speedily and left everything +to go topsy-turvy at Rodeck. I should not have thought you would +neglect your duty like that!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger looked at him in doubting perplexity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I have come according to orders. Your Highness has written me to +make haste and come and take Louis from the hospital--you would attend +to the travel and everything. I arrived this noon, and found the lad as +well as could be expected. The doctor thinks I can take him home with +me in a week, for then all danger would be over. But the kindness Your +Highness has shown to Louis and all the others from Rodeck who are in +the army can never be told. May God reward you a thousand times!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon withdrew his hand impatiently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is 'Herr Lieutenant' now, remember that. I insist upon my military +title--and what does this mean, now that when I count upon your +churlishness you are meek as a lamb and give us a pathetic scene! +I forbid it! This Louis, gentlemen, is a grandson of this old +Waldgeist--a fine, brave fellow, but he has a sister who is much +handsomer. I am sorry to say this senseless grandfather sends her away +regularly when I go to Rodeck. Why did Lena not come along? You should +have thought of bringing her."</p> + +<p class="normal">This proved effective against the meekness and affection, which were as +unusual as embarrassing.</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger drew himself up rigidly and replied with his usual terseness: +"I believed Your Highness had no time here in the war to think about +such foolishness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Aha, now it is coming!" said the Prince under his breath to Waldorf, +who stood beside him, but aloud he continued: "That is where you are +very much mistaken. A fellow gets uncivilized in the war, and when I +return home again----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then Your Highness has promised to get married at last," reminded the +old man in the most emphatic tone, which called forth general laughter +among the young officers. Egon joined it, but his laugh sounded forced, +just as did his reply:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, yes; I have promised, but I have reconsidered the matter in the +meantime. I may keep my word in ten years or perhaps in twenty, but no +sooner."</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger, who in spite of the command would not have used the title of +Lieutenant under any consideration, because that would be a humiliation +to the ducal family in his eyes, flew into a high state of indignation +and gave free vent to it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I do not almost believe it! If Your Highness has really for once a +sensible thought, it does not hold good for twenty-four hours--and your +sacred father a married man, too! Man has to marry, anyhow, and all +foolishness stops of its own accord after marriage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now that he is in the run of it, gentlemen, let him moralize to you," +cried Egon, and the young officers, to whom this was great fun, teased +the poor Stadinger until he lost all respect and exhibited himself in +the full halo of his admonitory nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">Half an hour later Willibald and Eugene Stahlberg approached the Prince +to take leave.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You march on by to-morrow?" he asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At daybreak. We march toward R----, where Major-General von Falkenried +is stationed with his brigade, though it will take several days to +reach there, for the whole country between here and the fortress is +occupied by the enemy, and we have to clear our way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But tell the General, Willy, that I shall follow in at least a week," +said Eugene. "It is bad enough that I have to remain behind so long on +account of a shot wound not worth mentioning. Next week I shall report +myself well, whatever the doctor may say, and after that I shall join +my regiment without delay--I hope before the capture of R----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must, indeed, make haste then," said Egon, "for resistance does +not last long usually where General Falkenried stands; we have seen +that often enough. He is always in front with his men always the first +to storm a place, and has already won inconceivable things. It seems as +if no impossibility exists for him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But he has the good luck to be always put in the front," grumbled +Lieutenant Waldorf. "Now again he is to take R----, while we lie here, +God knows how long. And he will take possession of it--there is no +doubt of that--perhaps he has taken it already. News reaches us only by +roundabout ways so long as the enemy stands between us."</p> + +<p class="normal">He arose to escort the two gentlemen out, while the Prince remained +behind.</p> + +<p class="normal">Standing before the fire with folded arms, he gazed into it, and his +face bore an expression not in accordance with the gayety which he had +but now been showing. Seriously, yet gloomily, he looked into the +dancing flames, and the shadow would not leave his usually sunny eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">He seemed to have forgotten the presence of Stadinger, but as the +latter made himself heard by clearing his throat, he started.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, you are still here? Remember me to Louis and tell him I will come +to see him again to-morrow. We don't have to say farewell yet, as you +remain here for the present. You did not think we had such gay times +here? Yes, one makes life easy as possible when one has to be ready +every day to lose it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old man stood before his master and looked sharply into his eyes, +then he spoke half aloud:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, the gentlemen were gay and Your Highness the gayest of all but +you are not happy in spite of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? What do you mean? Why should I not be happy?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't know that, but still I see it," insisted Stadinger. "When Your +Highness used to come from Furstenstein, or were up to all sorts of +things with Herr Rojanow, you looked different and laughed different, +and just now when you looked into the fire it seemed to me as if Your +Highness had something very heavy upon your heart."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Get away with all your observations!" cried Egon, to whom his old +Waldgeist was again becoming uncomfortable. "Do you suppose we are +always jolly? I should say that when one has the bloody battlefield +always before the mind, earnest thoughts come near."</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing could be said to that, and Stadinger remained silent, but he +could not be deceived. He knew quite well that something was wrong with +his young master, and that something was hidden behind this ostensibly +exhibited gayety.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LIV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Lieutenant Waldorf re-entered the room, but left the door open. "Come +right in here," he called to the man hesitating outside. "Here is an +orderly from the Seventh Regiment with a report. Well, don't you hear, +orderly? Come in!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The repetition of the order sounded very impatient. The soldier who +stood upon the threshold hesitated there, and had even made a start +back, as if he wished to return to the darkness outside. He now obeyed, +but kept close to the door, so that his face remained in the dusk.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you come from the outposts at the Capellenberg?" asked Waldorf.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At your command, Herr Lieutenant."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon, who had turned indifferently, started at the sound of that voice. +He made a hasty step forward, then stopped as if suddenly recollecting +himself, but his eyes were fixed with an almost terrified expression +upon the speaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">As far as could be discerned in the semi-darkness he was a tall young +fellow in the coarse cloak of the common soldier, with helmet upon his +closely-cut hair. He stood there, rigidly immovable, and delivered his +report correctly, but his voice had a peculiarly choked, hollow sound.</p> + +<p class="normal">"From Captain Salfeld," he reported. "We have seized a suspicious +character, dressed as a peasant, but probably from the French reserve, +who tried to steal into the fortress. What writings he had with +him----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do come nearer," commanded Waldorf, impatiently. "We cannot half +understand you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The soldier obeyed, drawing near to the officers. The light now fell +full and sharp upon his features, but his face bore an ashy paleness; +the teeth were tightly closed, and the eyes were fastened to the floor.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon's hand clutched the hilt of his sabre convulsively, and only by an +effort he suppressed the stormy exclamation which was forced to his +lips, while Stadinger, with wide-open eyes, glared at the man, who now +continued: "The writings which he had with him were not of much +account, but contained hints which he was probably to fill out +verbally. The Captain thinks that if he were strictly examined, more +could be learned, and asks now whether he shall send the prisoner here +or to headquarters."</p> + +<p class="normal">The report was neither surprising nor unusual. It often happened that +suspicious people were seized. The enemy's reserve tried obstinately to +obtain connection with the fortress; perhaps they kept it up in spite +of all the watchfulness of the besiegers: but Prince Adelsberg seemed +to have to struggle for breath before he could give the answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg the Captain to send the prisoner here. We shall be relieved in +two hours and then we march straight to headquarters. I shall attend to +the fellow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope he can be made to speak when he is seriously pressed," remarked +Waldorf. "He would not be the first whose heart had fallen when his +position became clear to him. Well, we shall see."</p> + +<p class="normal">The soldier stood there awaiting his dismissal; not a muscle quivered +in his face, but neither did he raise his eyes from the floor. Egon had +now collected himself, and, retaining the assumed ignorance, he asked +in the curt tone of the superior:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you belong to the Seventh Regiment?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At your command, Herr Lieutenant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your name?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Joseph Tanner."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Drawn?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, volunteer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Since when?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Since the 30th of July."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have been in the whole campaign?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Herr Lieutenant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well; now take the message to your Captain."</p> + +<p class="normal">The soldier saluted, turned upon his heel and left.</p> + +<p class="normal">Waldorf, who had been a little surprised at the examination, but had +not attached any importance to it, looked after him, shrugging his +shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Those out at the Capellenberg have the worst time of it. No rest by +day or night; taxed to the utmost, and with all that they are often +ordered to help the pioneer corps. The poor fellows work there in the +hard, frozen ground until the sweat runs in streams from their brows, +and their hands bleed. Our people surely are better off."</p> + +<p class="normal">He left the room to appoint an orderly to guard the expected prisoner +and give him the necessary instructions; but Egon tore the window open +and leaned out; it seemed as if he should suffocate.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then he heard Stadinger's voice behind him in subdued tones, which +nevertheless betrayed the greatest terror.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Highness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it?" Egon asked without turning.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has not Your Highness seen?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The orderly who was here just now. That was Herr Rojanow as sure as he +lives and breathes."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon saw that presence of mind was needed here, so he turned around and +said coldly: "I believe you see ghosts."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Your Highness----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense! there may be a little resemblance. I noticed it myself, +therefore I wanted to know the name of the man. You heard that it was +Joseph Tanner."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But still it was the real live Herr Rojanow," cried the unshakable +Stadinger, whose sharp eyes could not be deceived. "Only the black +locks were gone and the proud, haughty manner, but it was his voice."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Get away from me with your fancies!" Egon broke out angrily. "You know +that Herr Rojanow is in Sicily, but here you want to trace him in an +orderly of the Seventh Regiment. It is truly worse than ridiculous."</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger held his peace. It was, indeed, ridiculous and impossible, +and consequently was his young Prince so ungracious. He felt offended +that a common soldier should be confounded with his friend. And really +the haughty Rojanow, who understood how to command from the very +bottom of his heart, and had often chased all the servants at Rodeck +helter-skelter with his orders--and the orderly who had been snubbed by +Lieutenant Waldorf because he did not speak loud enough--were two ever +so different things. If only it had not been for the voice!</p> + +<p class="normal">"Think, Your Highness," besought the old man, who was now wavering.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think that you are an old seer of spirits," said Egon more mildly. +"Go into your quarters and sleep away the fatigue of your journey, or +you will be finding some more resemblances. Good-night!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger obeyed and took his leave. Fortunately he had not known +Joseph Tanner, who had only been at Ostwalden a few weeks, and the +encounter had put him in such a fright that the partly concealed +excitement of his master passed quite unnoticed by him. But he clung to +his doubts; the thing was strange--very strange.</p> + +<p class="normal">When the Prince found himself alone he began to pace the floor in +violent excitement. So! what he had refused his former friend had been +enforced. Joseph Tanner! He plainly remembered the name, which had been +mentioned to him at Ostwalden, and he knew now whose hand had opened +for Hartmut the ranks of the army which had been closed to a Rojanow.</p> + +<p class="normal">What will not the love of a woman attain!--a woman who desires to see +her love exonerated at any price. She herself had sent him out into +danger and death--to save him for life and--herself. Jealousy rose wild +and hot in Egon's breast at the thought, and with it that awful +suspicion, not yet overcome, raised its head again threateningly. Did +Hartmut really wish to atone only in this war? Was not his presence at +the outposts a danger, for which one was responsible if he kept it a +secret?</p> + +<p class="normal">Then came back to the Prince's mind the pale, gloomy face of the man +to-night--the friend who had once been so dear to him, and who must +have suffered agonies of torture at this encounter, far exceeding his +imagination. He well knew Hartmut's unbending pride, and this pride was +now bowed low in the dust in that subordinate position day after day. +He had heard it; how out there on the Capellenberg they often worked so +hard that in spite of the icy weather the sweat poured in streams from +their brows, and their hands bled. This was what the spoiled, famed +Rojanow was doing; the man at whose feet the whole town laid its homage +only a year ago, and whom the house of the reigning Prince had +overwhelmed with distinction; and he was doing it of his own free will, +when the success of his poetical work afforded him the richest +revenues. And with it all, he was the son of General Falkenried!</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon's breast rose under a deep but relieved breath. This view of it +was giving him back slowly his lost faith; all torturing doubts fled +before this. The old sin of the boy Hartmut was now being atoned for, +and the other more awful sin was the mother's alone--not his.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">It was toward nine o'clock in the evening when Prince Adelsberg left +his quarters to go to the Commanding General. He was not obeying an +official order, but an invitation, for the General had been close +friends with his father, and had shown paternal attention to the son +all during the campaign.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon would have given much to have been permitted to remain at home +to-night, for the encounter with Hartmut had shaken him to the inmost +heart, but the invitation of the superior could not be disregarded, and +one could not follow one's inclinations in war-time.</p> + +<p class="normal">An adjutant met the Prince upon the stairs, seeming to be in the +greatest haste, and only dropping a hint of bad news, which Prince +Adelsberg would probably hear from the General. Egon mounted the stairs +shaking his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">The General was alone, pacing the room in apparent excitement and with +a face which boded no good.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good evening, Prince Adelsberg," he said, pausing in his walk at the +entrance of the young officer. "I am sorry I cannot promise you a +pleasant evening, but we have received news which will probably ruin +every pleasure of being together."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I just heard a hint about it," replied Egon; "but what has happened, +Your Excellency? The dispatches of to-day noon sounded favorable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have had this news but an hour. You yourself delivered the +suspicious man who had been seized by our outposts to headquarters. Do +you know what he had with him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, for Captain Salfeld sent the papers with the prisoner. I was also +of the opinion that he was to complete the information verbally, as +they had been carefully prepared. They had apparently counted upon the +possibility of the man's falling into our hands. He would not confess +anything, but I knew he would be examined closely here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which has been done. The man was a coward, and when he saw the bullet +threatening him he saved himself by a confession, the truth of which +cannot be doubted. You remember that in one of the papers it was +mentioned that one could in an extreme case follow the heroic example +of the commander of R----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, that is incomprehensible, as the fortress is on the eve of +surrender. General Falkenried sent word that he hopes to move in by +to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I fear he will make his word good," cried the General. Egon looked +at him in amazement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You <i>fear</i>, Excellency?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, for there is a scoundrelly scheme--a betrayal without example. +They mean to surrender the fortress, and when their garrison has +withdrawn to a safe distance, and our army has moved in, they intend to +blow the citadel to atoms."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For God's sake!" shrieked the Prince in horror. "Cannot General +Falkenried be notified?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is the question. I fear that it will not be possible. I have sent +out warnings upon two different routes, but our direct connection with +R---- is cut off; the enemy has the mountain passes in possession; the +messengers will have to make a wide circuit and cannot arrive there in +time."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon was silent in deepest consternation. The passes were, indeed, +occupied by the hostile forces. Eschenhagen's regiment had been sent to +clear the way, but that might take several days.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have considered all possibilities," continued the General, "but +there is no way out of it--nothing but a slight hope that the surrender +has been delayed in some way; but Falkenried is not the man to allow +himself to be kept waiting. He will hasten the finale and then he is +lost with perhaps thousands with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">He resumed his walk through the room. One could see how the fate of his +endangered comrades went to the heart of this iron man.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Prince, too, stood helpless, but suddenly a thought flashed upon +him. He drew himself up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"If it should be possible to send a dispatch over the passes, a good +horseman might possibly get to R---- by to-morrow morning. Of course, +he would have to ride for life and death----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And through the midst of the enemy--nonsense! You are a soldier and +must tell yourself that it is impossible. The foolhardy rider would not +get half a mile--he would be shot down."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But if a man could be found who would be willing to make the attempt +in spite of everything? I know such a man, Your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">The General frowned angrily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Does that mean that you wish to offer yourself for this useless +sacrifice? I would have to prohibit that, Prince Adelsberg. I know how +to value the courage of my officers, but I shall not give them +permission for such impossible enterprises."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not speak of myself," said Egon earnestly. "The man of whom I am +thinking belongs to the Seventh Regiment, and is at present upon +sentinel duty on the Capellenberg. It was he who reported the +prisoner."</p> + +<p class="normal">The General had grown thoughtful, but he shook his head incredulously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I say it is impossible; but what is this man's name?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Joseph Tanner."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Private?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he entered voluntarily."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know him, then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Your Excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole army; +dauntless to foolhardiness, and capable to act in such a case with the +circumspection of an officer. If the thing can possibly be done, he +will do it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you believe--such a thing cannot be commanded--it is, indeed, an +act of despair--you believe that the man would take this message of his +own free will?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I stand for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then, indeed, I cannot nor dare not say no where so much is at stake. +I will order Tanner up immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I not take the order to him?" Egon quickly interrupted.</p> + +<p class="normal">The General stopped and looked at him searchingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You wish to do it yourself--why?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To save time; the road which Tanner has to take leads by the +Capellenberg; an hour would pass before he could get to headquarters +and back."</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing could be said against that, but the General seemed to feel that +something important was hidden beneath this. An ordinary private would +hardly undertake such peril, which drove him almost into death's +embrace, but the old warrior did not inquire further. He only asked:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you stand for the man?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," returned the Prince, firmly and calmly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well; then you can inform him yourself. But one thing more--he +must have statements for the outposts on the other side, if indeed he +reaches it, for every detention may prove fatal where moments count."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stepped to his desk and wrote a few lines upon a paper, which he +handed to the Prince.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here is the necessary passport, and here the dispatch to Falkenried. +Will you bring me immediate news whether or not Tanner consents to go?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Instantly, Your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon received the papers, took his leave, and hastened to his quarters, +where he ordered his horse saddled at once. Five minutes later saw him +on his way.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LVI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The Capellenberg, of Chapel Mountain, which had probably borne +originally another name, but was so called by the Germans because it +bore a chapel, was only a small height, partly covered with forests. It +was the last outrunner of the mountains at this side, and formed here +the border of the German troops. A company of the Seventh Regiment was +stationed in the farms which lay scattered over its side. Their +position was rightly considered very hard and most dangerous.</p> + +<p class="normal">The chapel lay desolate and lonely, half buried in the deep snow. +Priests and choir had long since fled, and the little edifice bore +traces of destruction everywhere, for hot battles had been fought +around this height. Walls and roof still stood intact, but a part of +the ceiling had fallen, and the wind whistled through the shattered +windows. Behind it rose the forest, clad in ice and snow, and all this +lay in the uncertain light of the half-moon which was now visible in +the heavily clouded sky, shedding her ghostly light upon the +surroundings, only to again quickly disappear.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was an icy winter night, as at that time at Rodeck, and, as then, +the horizon was lit up by a dark reddish glow; but no aurora beamed +here in gorgeous beauty; the glow which flared here in the north bore +witness of battles fought all around; it had its origin in burning +villages and farms; the awful signs of the flame of war, which were +reflected in the skies.</p> + +<p class="normal">A lonely sentinel stood here with gun on shoulder--Hartmut von +Falkenried.</p> + +<p class="normal">His eyes hung on the flaming horizon, the dark masses of cloud shone +there blood-red, and from time to time a shower of fiery sparks burst +from the seething smoke which rested over the earth.</p> + +<p class="normal">Glow and flame there; ice and night here! The cold, which had been +intense already during the day, now grew to the breath of ice, in which +all life seemed to become stark, and which chilled the lonely sentinel +to the very marrow.</p> + +<p class="normal">Although he was not the only one who had to do this hard duty, his +comrades had not been spoiled by years of life in the Orient and the +balmy air of Sicily. Hartmut had not lived through a northern winter +since his boyhood; this cold grew disastrous to him, for it seemed to +change the blood in his veins into ice.</p> + +<p class="normal">Slowly the deadly sleepiness, which is not sleep, crept upon him; it +made the limbs heavy as lead, and drooped the eyelids forcibly. He who +was so terribly threatened, struggled against it with all his +will-power; he tried to collect himself and move about; he succeeded +for a moment, but exhaustion again approached, the end of which he +knew.</p> + +<p class="normal">Was it not even to be granted him to fall by a bullet?</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut's glance turned to the half-destroyed house of God, as if +beseeching help; but what were church and altar to him? He had cast +faith from him long ago; only night with death stared him in the face, +and life would have given him so much when the atonement should have +been completed--possession of his love, the fame of a poet, and perhaps +even reconciliation with his father.</p> + +<p class="normal">But it was not to be. He must stand to his post and wait for the +ignominous death which was creeping upon him from the icy darkness. +Duty commanded and he--obeyed.</p> + +<p class="normal">But in the distance sounded steps and voices which came nearer and +nearer. They tore Hartmut from the semi-unconsciousness which had +already begun to veil his senses.</p> + +<p class="normal">He roused himself with an effort and made his gun ready, but it was his +comrades who drew near. What did it mean? The hour for relief had not +yet come; but in a moment a sergeant stood before him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Relief--command from headquarters brought by an officer," came the +order.</p> + +<p class="normal">The change was made and a sturdy peasant, who did not seem to mind the +cold much, took Hartmut's place. As Hartmut was about to join the +sergeant an officer approached him from the other side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let the sergeant go on. I wish to speak to you, Tanner; follow me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Prince Adelsberg, who did not wish the sentinel to witness the +conversation, entered the chapel, into which Hartmut followed him.</p> + +<p class="normal">The pale moonlight falling through the windows revealed all the +dismantled and destroyed interior. The fallen ceiling had shattered +some of the pews; the altar alone stood undemolished.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon had walked to the middle of the room, where he stopped and turned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hartmut."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Lieutenant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stop that, we are alone," said the Prince. "I did not think, that we +should meet like this."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I hoped I should be spared it," said Hartmut hoarsely, "You have +come----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"From headquarters. I heard that you had been ordered to sentinel duty +on the Capellenberg. That is awful duty for such a night as this."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut was silent; he knew that without this interruption it would +have been his last duty.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon looked at him with concern. In spite of the uncertain light he saw +how rigid and exhausted was the man who leaned against one of the +pillars as if he needed support.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I came to bring you an order, but it is left to your own free will to +accept it or not. The matter is considered almost impossible, and it +would be, perhaps, to any one else. You have courage for it, I know, +but the question is, have you the strength after all these exertions?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fifteen minutes' rest and warmth will give me the strength. But what +does it concern?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A ride for life or death. You are to take a message through the midst +of the enemy--to R----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To the fortress?" cried Hartmut with a start. "There stands----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"General Falkenried with his brigade; he is lost if the message does +not reach him. We lay his safety in the hands of his son."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again Hartmut started. Gone were frost and exhaustion. With feverish +excitement he grasped the Prince's arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am to save my father? I? What has happened? What must I do?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Listen. The prisoner whom you reported to me to-day has given us a +terrible disclosure; it concerns a betrayal. The fortress is to be +blown up as soon as their troops are in safety and ours have taken +possession. The General sent warnings instantly, but they will not +reach them in time, as they have to take a circuitous route. Your +father thinks of taking possession to-morrow. He must be warned before +that, and there is only one possibility. The messenger must go over the +mountain passes, which are held by the enemy. If successful, the news +will reach there to-morrow before noon, but the way----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it," interrupted Hartmut. "Our regiment took it only fourteen +days ago coming here. The passes were free then."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So much the better! Of course you must take off your uniform, which +would betray you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall change only cloak and helmet. If I am held up at all, my fate +is sealed--so it is only important that I be not recognized in flying +past. If only a good capable horse can be found!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is at hand. I brought my Arab--my Saladin--with me. You know him +and have often ridden him. He flies like a bird, and must do his master +achievement this night."</p> + +<p class="normal">The conversation had been conducted with flying haste, and now the +Prince drew out the papers which he had received at headquarters.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here is the order of the Commanding General, which puts everything at +your disposal when you reach our outposts--and here the dispatch. Give +yourself half an hour's rest, for your strength might not hold out, and +you will break down on the way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think that I need rest and recreation now," cried Hartmut, +flashing up. "I shall surely not break down now; it will have to be +under the fire of the enemy if I do. I thank you, Egon, for this hour, +in which you at last--at last--speak to me free from that base +suspicion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And in which I send you out into death," said the Prince softly. "We +will not shun the truth. It will be a miracle if you get through +safely."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A miracle."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut's glance wandered to the altar, upon which rested the pale +light of the moon. He had forgotten long ago how to pray, yet at this +moment he sent up a silent, fervent prayer to the heavens--to the power +which could do miracles.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only until I have saved my father and his men--only so long guide and +keep me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">In the next second he drew himself up. It was as if Egon had poured +glowing life power into the veins of the man who so shortly since was +threatened with death through cold and exhaustion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now let us say good-by," whispered Egon. "Farewell, Hartmut."</p> + +<p class="normal">He opened wide his arms and Hartmut fell upon his breast.</p> + +<p class="normal">All that had stood between them was buried in this embrace. The old +glowing love burst forth powerfully again for the last time, for both +felt that they would not meet again--that this was a final farewell.</p> + +<p class="normal">Scarce fifteen minutes later a horseman dashed away; the slender Arab +flying so that his hoof seemed not to touch the ground. In furious +gallop he flew along over the snow through ice-covered forests, over +frozen brooks on and on into the mountain passes!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LVII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The next day brought clear, frosty weather, but the sun shone brightly +and the cold had somewhat abated.</p> + +<p class="normal">In Prince Adelsberg's quarters were Eugene Stahlberg and Waldorf, the +latter being off duty today on account of a fall upon the ice, +resulting in an injury to his hand, which prevented him from marching +with his company as Egon had done.</p> + +<p class="normal">The gentlemen were awaiting their princely comrade, who was expected +soon, and entertained themselves in the meantime by teasing Peter +Stadinger, who had, as in duty bound, appeared at his young master's +this morning, and who also awaited him now.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young officers knew nothing as yet of the news which had +been obtained at headquarters yesterday, and were in the best of +spirits--taking all possible pains to call forth in Stadinger the +far-famed churlishness. But it was not successful today. The old man +remained laconic and reticent. He would only repeat his question: When +would His Highness return? and if it would be a serious skirmish to +which His Highness had marched? until finally Waldorf lost all +patience.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stadinger, I believe you would like best to pack up your Prince and +take him back with you to your Rodeck, which is safe from bombs," he +asserted. "You must get over this anxiety in the war--remember that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And, besides, the Prince has only marched out to reconnoitre," added +Eugene. "He is just taking a little walk with his people from the +Capellenberg into the neighboring dales and ravines, to ascertain how +it really looks there. They will probably exchange a few compliments +with the French gentlemen, and then retreat politely; the more impolite +attacks will follow in a few days."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But is there shooting with it all?" asked Stadinger, with such anxious +mien that the two officers laughed aloud.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, shots are being exchanged, too," confirmed Waldorf. "You seem to +have great fear of them, yet you are at a safe distance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I?" The old man drew himself up, deeply offended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish I could be in the midst of it also."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps to protect your much loved Highness. The Prince would decline +that. You would hold on to his coat tails and cry continually, 'Take +care, Your Highness, there comes a ball.' That would look fine!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Lieutenant," said the old man, so seriously that the gay tease +was silenced, "you should not do that to an old hunter who has often +climbed after the chamois, and has fired his gun when he had scarcely a +foot's breadth of ground to stand on; I feel so depressed and anxious +to-day. I wish the day would end."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, it was not meant so seriously," said Eugene, soothingly. "We +believe you, Stadinger; you do not look like a man who is afraid. But +you must not speak to us about your depressing presentiments. One does +not think of them after one has stood so many times in the shower of +bullets. When we are happily at home again, I will come to my sister at +Ostwalden, and we will then be good neighbors with Rodeck. The Prince +loves his old forest nook so well. And now abandon your anxiety, for +there he comes already."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rapid steps were heard on the stairs outside; the old man sighed with +relief. But it was only Egon's attendant who appeared in the open door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, has His Highness arrived?" asked Waldorf; but Stadinger did not +allow the man time to answer. He had cast one glance at his face--only +a single one--then suddenly grasped his hand with a convulsive clutch.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it? Where--where is my master?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The man shook his head sadly and pointed silently to the window, to +which both officers hastened with fear and dread. But Stadinger lost no +time. He dashed out down the stairs, into the little garden which lay +before the house, and with a loud, bitter cry sank upon his knees at +the side of a stretcher, upon which there lay a slender, youthful +figure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quietly," said the physician who had accompanied the sad group. +"Control yourself--the Prince is seriously wounded."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I see it," gasped the faithful old servant; "but not fatally--oh, say +not fatally. Only tell me that, Herr Doctor!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked up to the surgeon with such despairing entreaty that the +latter had not courage to tell him the truth, but turned to the two +officers who now hastened near and overwhelmed him with low, anxious +questioning.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A ball in the breast," he explained, in the same tone. "The Prince +begged to be brought to his quarters, and we have used all possible +care in the moving; but it will bring the end more quickly than I +thought."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fatal?" asked Waldorf.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Beyond a doubt."</p> + +<p class="normal">The surgeon gave the bearers who prepared to take their charge into the +house, a sign to desist.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stop, the Prince seems to have something to say to his old servant, +and there are no moments to lose."</p> + +<p class="normal">Stadinger saw and heard nothing of what happened at his side. He looked +only upon his master.</p> + +<p class="normal">Egon seemed to be unconscious. The light hair had become disheveled, +the eyes were closed, and beneath the cloak with which he had been +covered, and which had partly fallen open, the blood-stained uniform +could be seen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Highness," besought Stadinger, softly, according to the doctor's +warning, but with heartbreaking accents, "only look at me! Speak to me! +It is I--Stadinger."</p> + +<p class="normal">The well-known voice found its way to the ear of the desperately +wounded man. Slowly his eyes opened, and a slight smile flitted over +his features as he recognized the old man who knelt at his side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My old Waldgeist," he whispered, "did you have to come--to see this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you will not die, Your Highness," murmured Stadinger, his whole +body a-tremble, but never removing his eyes from his dying master; +"no--do not die--surely not!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think that it is hard?" said Egon, calmly. "Yesterday--you saw +quite correctly--my heart felt heavy; but now it is light. Give my love +to Rodeck--and to my forests and--to her, too, the mistress of +Ostwalden."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whom? Frau Wallmoden?" asked Stadinger, almost terrified at this turn.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes--take her my last greeting--tell her to think of me sometimes."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words came painfully--brokenly--from the lips which seemed to +almost refuse their duty; but they left no doubt as to the meaning of +the last greeting.</p> + +<p class="normal">Eugene had started when he heard the name of his sister, and now bent +low over the dying man, who saw the brother of Adelaide--recognized the +features which resembled hers so much--and again a smile passed over +his face. Then he leaned his fair head quietly and calmly on the breast +of his old Waldgeist, and the beautiful blue eyes closed forever.</p> + +<p class="normal">It had been a short, painless struggle--almost a falling asleep. +Stadinger had not moved--had not uttered a sound, for he knew it would +hurt his young master, whom he had borne in his arms as a child, and +who now drew his last breath in those arms. But, when all was over, the +composure of the old man gave way. He threw himself despairingly upon +the body and wept like a child.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LVIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Over on the other side of the mountain passes also the winter sun shone +clear and bright upon the new achievements which the victorious German +troops had acquired.</p> + +<p class="normal">The negotiations with the commander of R---- had been brought to an +end, and the fortress had surrendered. The captive garrison moved out, +while a portion of the victors had already marched in.</p> + +<p class="normal">General Falkenried stood in the main square of the lower town with his +staff, about to move also into the fortress. The helmets and arms of +the troops who were on their way into the citadel glittered in the +sunshine. Falkenried issued various orders, then took his stand at the +head of his staff and gave the signal to march.</p> + +<p class="normal">But now there came a horseman in furious haste over the main road; the +noble animal he rode was covered with sweat and foam, and his sides +bled from the cruel spurs which had hurried him on and on when his +strength threatened to desert him. The face also of the rider was +disfigured by the blood trickling from beneath the cloth that had been +wound around the forehead.</p> + +<p class="normal">He came flying, as if driven by a tornado, and everything fled from +before him until he reached the open square, dashed through the midst +of the officers straight up to the General. A few steps from the end of +the journey the strength of the noble horse failed, he broke down +completely; but at the same moment the rider sprang from the saddle and +hastened toward the commander.</p> + +<p class="normal">"From the Commanding General."</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried started at the first word. He had not recognized the +blood-covered face; he only saw that the man who dashed up as if for +life or death must bring an important message. But at the sound of that +voice, an idea of the truth flashed upon him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut swayed and laid his hand for a moment on his brow; it seemed as +if he were about to break down, too, like his horse. But he recovered +with an effort.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The General sends word to be cautious--betrayal is planned--the +fortress will be blown up as soon as its garrison has moved off. Here +is the dispatch."</p> + +<p class="normal">He tore a paper from his breast and gave it to Falkenried. The officers +had become violently excited at the awful news, and pressed around +their chief as if expecting to hear from him confirmation of the +incredible report. But they had a strange sight before them.</p> + +<p class="normal">The General, whose iron composure they all knew--who never lost control +of himself--had turned deathly pale, and stared at the speaker as if a +spirit had risen before him from the ground, while he held the paper +unopened in his hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr General--the dispatch!"</p> + +<p class="normal">One of the adjutants who understood the proceedings as little as the +others, gently reminded him; but it was enough to bring Falkenried back +to consciousness. He tore the dispatch open and glanced it over, and +was now again the soldier who knew nothing but his duty.</p> + +<p class="normal">With full, firm voice he gave his orders. The officers galloped right +and left; signals and commands resounded in all directions, and in a +few moments the last detachment of soldiers came to a standstill. Upon +the fortress sounded the signal of alarm. Neither friend nor foe knew +what it meant. Did it not appear as if the so recently conquered place +was to be vacated at once? But the orders were executed with the usual +alacrity and dispatch; the movements were completed with perfect +composure, in spite of the haste, and the troops turned back into the +town.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried was still in the open square, giving orders, receiving +reports, watching and guiding everything with his eyes. But still he +found a moment's time to turn to his son, to whom he had not as yet +given any sign of recognition.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are bleeding--let it be bandaged."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut shook his head hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Later--I must first see the retreat--the rescue."</p> + +<p class="normal">The awful excitement sustained him; he did not falter again, but +followed with feverish attention every movement of the troops.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried looked at him and then asked:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which way did you come?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Over the mountain passes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Over the passes! The enemy stands there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, there they stand."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you came over that way?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I had to, otherwise the news would not have reached here in time. I +started only last night."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But that is an heroic deed without an equal! Man, how could you +accomplish it?" exclaimed one of the higher officers, who had just +brought a report and heard the last words.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut was silent; only he slowly raised his eyes to his father. He no +longer feared the eyes he had feared so long, and what he read in them +now told him that here, too, he was free from that awful suspicion.</p> + +<p class="normal">But even the greatest will power has its limits, and this was reached +with the man who had rendered almost superhuman assistance. The face of +his father was the last thing he saw--then it disappeared as behind a +bloody veil; something hot and wet flowed over his forehead--all became +night around him, and he sank to the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">And now resounded a crash, under the appalling force of which the whole +town trembled and quaked. The citadel, whose outlines had just stood +out sharp and clear against the blue sky, was suddenly transformed into +a crater, vomiting forth fire and destruction. In those walls a hell +seemed to open; showers of rocks and stones rose high in the air, only +to come down with thunderous clatter, and immediately there leaped and +flickered over all the huge pile of débris a giant pillar of fire and +smoke which rose up to the heavens--a terrible sign of flame!</p> + +<p class="normal">The warning had arrived at the last possible moment. But, in spite of +it, there was a sacrifice of life, for whoever had been still in the +neighborhood of the citadel had been crushed or severely injured. Still +the loss was small in comparison with the incalculable disaster which +would surely have taken place had not the warning been brought.</p> + +<p class="normal">The General, with his officers and nearly all his troops, had been +saved. Falkenried had made all the arrangements required by the +dreadful catastrophe with his usual promptitude and circumspection. He +was everywhere, and his activity and example succeeded in giving back +to the men who had been betrayed in the height of victory their +equilibrium. Only when the commander had done his duty did the father +seek his natural rights.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut still lay unconscious in one of the neighboring houses, into +which he had been carried when he sank to the ground. He neither saw +nor heard the father, who stood at his bedside with one of the +physicians.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried silently gazed down upon the pale face and closed eyes, then +turned to the physician.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not consider the wound fatal?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The doctor sadly shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not the wound in itself, but the great overexertion of that life and +death ride--the heavy loss of blood, the bitter cold of the night. I +fear, Herr General, you must be prepared for the worst."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am prepared for it," said Falkenried, solemnly. Then he knelt down +and kissed the son whom perhaps he had found only to lose again; and +hot, burning tears fell upon the deathly white face.</p> + +<p class="normal">But it was not granted the father to remain with his child for any +length of time; he was forced to leave after a few moments, requesting +the doctor once more to give his greatest care and skill to the +patient.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the open square were collected the General's staff and other +officers, awaiting their chief. They knew he was at present with the +wounded man who had brought the warning, and whom nobody knew.</p> + +<p class="normal">It had become known that he had come over the mountain passes, through +the midst of the foe--that he had ventured upon a ride the like of +which nobody in the army could imitate--and when the General at last +appeared, everybody gathered around him, questioningly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried was deeply serious, but the rigid, gloomy look which his +face was accustomed to bear had disappeared and given place to an +expression which the attendant officers saw now for the first time. In +his eyes tears still glistened, but his voice sounded firm and clear as +he answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, gentlemen, he is desperately injured, and perhaps it was his last +ride that brought rescue to us. But he has done his duty as a man and a +soldier, and if you want to know his name--he is my son, Hartmut von +Falkenried!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LIX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The old mansion of Burgsdorf lay peaceful and cosy in the brightest +sunlight. It had but recently received back its lord, who had been +absent nearly a year, and who returned now after the war was over, to +his home and his young wife.</p> + +<p class="normal">The large estate, with its extensive work, had not suffered through his +long absence, for it had been under safe guidance. The master's mother +had stepped into her old place, and held the reins with her usual firm +hand, until the return of her son; but now she laid those reins +solemnly into his hands again and insisted, in spite of all prayers and +entreaties, upon leaving Burgsdorf and returning to her city home.</p> + +<p class="normal">At present Frau von Eschenhagen was standing upon the terrace, the +broad stone steps of which led into the garden, talking with Willibald, +who stood beside her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Her glance rested with undeniable satisfaction upon the powerful, manly +form of her son, who appeared even more stately now because of the +acquired military bearing. Perhaps she felt that something different +and better had been made of the young country squire than she could +have done with her education. But she would not have confessed it at +any price.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And so you wish to build," she was saying; "I thought about as much. +The plain old house in which your father and I lived so many years is, +of course, not good enough for your little princess. She must be +surrounded by every available splendor. Well, I don't mind; you have +the money for it, and can allow yourself that pleasure. I am glad to +say I have not the responsibility of it any longer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not act so grim, mamma," laughed Willibald. "If any one should hear +you, they would think you the worst of mothers-in-law, whereas if I did +not know it from Marietta's letters, I see it daily now, how you spoil +her and carry her upon your hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, well, one likes to play with pretty dolls sometimes, even in old +age," replied Regine, dryly; "and your wife is such a delicate little +doll, who is only good for play. Do not imagine that she will ever get +to be a competent farm manager. I saw that from the first moment, and +have not allowed her to do it at all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you were right in that," joined in the young lord. "Work and +management are my part. My Marietta shall not be worried with it. But, +believe me, mamma, one can live and work quite differently when such a +sweet little <i>singvogel</i> sings courage and love of work into one's +heart."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Boy, I believe you are crazy still," said Frau von Eschenhagen, with +her old grim manner. "Has it ever been known that a <i>sensible</i> man--a +husband and estate owner--speaks so of his wife--'sweet little +<i>singvogel</i>'! Perhaps you get that from your bosom friend, Hartmut, who +is considered by you all as such a great poet. You always did imitate +him as a boy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, mamma, it is really my own. I have composed poetry but once in my +life, on the night when I saw Marietta in Hartmut's 'Arivana.' The poem +fell into my hands the other day, when I was putting my desk in order, +and I gave it to Hartmut, begging him to change it a little, for, +strange to say, the rhymes would not fit, and I had not done very well +with the meter. Do you know what he said? 'My dear Willy, your poem is +very beautiful as far as sentiment is concerned, but I advise you to +abandon poetry. Such verse is not to be tolerated, and your wife will +seek a divorce if you sing to her in this style.' That is how my 'bosom +friend' judges my poetical talent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It serves you right, too. What does an estate owner have to do with +poetry?" said Regine, caustically.</p> + +<p class="normal">The door of the dining room was opened and a small head, running over +with dark curls, peeped out.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it permitted to disturb the assembly in their important business +discourse?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come along, you small elf," said Frau von Eschenhagen. But the +permission was superfluous, for the young wife had already flown into +her husband's open arms. He bent over her affectionately and whispered +something in her ear.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you commencing again?" scolded the mother. "It is really +unbearable in your presence nowadays."</p> + +<p class="normal">Marietta only turned her head, without freeing herself from the embrace +which held her so closely, and said, roguishly: "We are celebrating our +honeymoon after the long separation, and you must know from your own +experience how people act then, <i>nicht wahr</i>, mamma?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine shrugged her shoulders. Her honeymoon with the late Eschenhagen +had been of a different kind.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You received a letter from your grandfather, Marietta," she said, +changing the subject; "was it good news?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The very best. Grandpapa is quite well and anticipating much pleasure +in his visit to Burgsdorf next month. But he writes that everything is +very quiet around Waldhofen since Rodeck has lost its master. +Everything is closed and desolate since the death of the young Prince. +Ostwalden is lonely, and Furstenstein will be deserted, too, after +Toni's marriage, which occurs in two weeks. Poor Uncle Schonan will be +all alone then."</p> + +<p class="normal">The last words were spoken with a certain emphasis as the young wife +threw a peculiar glance at her mother-in-law.</p> + +<p class="normal">That upright lady did not pay any attention to it, but only remarked: +"Yes, it is a strange notion of Hartmut and Adelaide to live here in +the pine forest in a small, rented villa during the first weeks of +their married life, while the large castle of Ostwalden and all of the +Stahlberg country seats are at their disposal."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They probably wished to remain with their father a little longer," +said Willibald.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Falkenried could have taken a vacation in this case and gone +with them. Thank God that the man has really come back to life, since +that terrible bitterness has fallen from him, and he has his son again. +I knew well how very hard the flight of the boy struck him. He secretly +idolized him, while showing him only severity and requiring in turn +nothing but obedience. Of course, what Hartmut accomplished with that +night's ride, by which he saved his father with his troops, erases even +more than a senseless boy's escapade, for which the mother was really +to blame."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But we are cheated out of all the wedding festivities in the family," +pouted Marietta. "Willy and I had to be married quietly because the war +broke out, and now, after the war has happily ceased, Hartmut and +Adelaide do just like it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My child, when one has gone through such things as Hartmut has, all +pleasure in festivities is lost," said Frau Eschenhagen, gravely. "And, +besides, he has not fully recuperated yet. You saw how pale he was at +the wedding. Adelaide's first marriage was, indeed, celebrated with +more pomp. Her father insisted upon it, in spite of his low state of +health, and the bride was really a queenly, if cold, apparition in her +satin train and her laces and diamonds. But, truly, she looked +different when she drew near the altar with her Hartmut, in the simple +white silk dress and the dainty veil. I never in my life saw her so +lovely. Poor Herbert! He never possessed the love of his wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But how could one love such an old Excellency in his diplomatic frock +coat? I could not have done it, either," said Marietta, pertly.</p> + +<p class="normal">But she had touched a weak point; her mother-in-law held the +remembrance of her brother in high esteem.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The necessity would never have come to you," she remarked, with pique. +"A man like Herbert von Wallmoden would hardly have wooed you--you +little saucy----"</p> + +<p class="normal">But she got no further, for the saucy little sprite already hung around +her neck coaxingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Please don't get angry, mamma. How can I help it that my most +undiplomatic Willy is dearer to me than all the Excellencies in the +whole world, and he is that to you, too; eh, mamma?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You little flatterer!" Regine tried in vain to keep up her severe +mien. "You know very well that nobody can get angry with you. A regime +will now probably commence here at Burgsdorf which has had no +precedent. Willy is ashamed before me now, but after I am gone, he will +surrender to you upon grace or displeasure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma, do you still cling to that idea?" asked Willibald, +reproachfully. "Will you go now, when everything is love and peace +between us?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just because of that I shall go, so that it may remain. Do not oppose +it, my son. I have to be first where I live and work. You want to be +that now; therefore it is best we are not together; and your little +princess must not get angry about it. We have heretofore had great +anxiety about you, and people do not quarrel when they have to tremble +anew each day for husband and son. But that is over now, and I am still +too much of the old kind to fit myself to your youth. Do whatever you +like, but things must go as I like in my house, and therefore I go."</p> + +<p class="normal">She turned and went into the house, while the young lord looked after +her with a half-suppressed sigh.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"She is right, perhaps," Willibald said, half aloud, as his +mother vanished; "but she will be unhappy alone, and without the +long-accustomed activity. I know that she will not be able to bear the +enforced rest. You ought to have begged her to remain, too, Marietta."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife laid her curly head upon her husband's shoulder and +looked at him roguishly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, no; I shall do something better. I shall see to it that mamma does +not get unhappy when she leaves us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You? How will you do that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite easily. I shall marry mamma off."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Marietta, what are you thinking of?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, you wise Willy; have you really not noticed anything?" laughed +Marietta, and it was the old, silvery laugh with which she had +bewitched him at Waldhofen. "And you do not know why Uncle Schonan was +in such a grim temper when we saw him in Berlin three days ago? And why +he did not want to come to Burgsdorf at all, although we begged him so +much? Mamma did not ask him, because she feared a renewed proposal. He +understood it, and consequently he was so angry. I have known all about +it ever so long; even at the time when mamma came to us at Waldhofen, +and he told her so fiercely that she would only use him as a secondary +person at a wedding. I saw then that he would like to be one of the +principals. Willy, you are making a superb face now! You look exactly +as you did at the beginning of our acquaintance."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lord did not, indeed, look very intellectual in his boundless +surprise. He had never considered the possibility of his mother +marrying again, and to her brother-in-law, besides! But it broke upon +him that this was an excellent solution of the difficulty.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Marietta, you are surpassingly clever!" he cried, looking with the +greatest admiration at his wife, who accepted the homage with much +satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am even more clever than you think," she said, triumphantly, "for I +have put the matter to rights. I got behind Uncle Schonan and gave him +to understand that if he would storm once more now, the fortress would +probably surrender. He grumbled mightily and said that he had had +enough of it and did not want to be made a fool of again; but at last +he reconsidered the matter. He arrived fifteen minutes ago. I did not +dare tell mamma anything about it, and--here he is!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She nodded to the Chief Forester, who emerged upon the terrace and +heard the last words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, here I am; but take care, little woman, if you have 'led me +behind the light,' for"--to Willibald--"I have come solely at her +request. She has probably given you the details about how it stands +with us--that is, with me, for your Frau Mamma is probably again +unreasonable, obstinate and self-willed as she usually is--but I will +marry her yet!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"All right, uncle, if she will only have you," laughed Willibald, who +could not help thinking this description of his mother from a wooer +very peculiar.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, that is the question," said Schonan, doubtfully; "but your wife +thinks----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That we dare not lose another minute!" interrupted Marietta. "Mamma is +in her room, and has no conception of the attack. Willy and I will +remain in the background, and join in the battle if the worst should +happen. Forward, march, uncle; forward, Willy!"</p> + +<p class="normal">And Frau Marietta von Eschenhagen, with her little, delicate hands +pushed the stately Chief Forester and her huge husband forward, without +more ado. They patiently submitted, although Schonan muttered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Strange how they all understand how to order one about--little ones as +well as big ones. It must be born in them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine von Eschenhagen stood at the window of her room, looking out +upon her beloved Burgsdorf, which she intended to leave in a few days.</p> + +<p class="normal">Much as she was convinced of the wisdom of this decision, it was yet +not easy to execute it. The strong, restlessly active woman, who had +stood thirty years at the head of a large work, felt a shudder at the +rest and inactivity which awaited her. She had been made acquainted +with the city life during her first separation from her son, and had +been very unhappy in it.</p> + +<p class="normal">The door opened and the Chief Forester entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Moritz, you here!" Regine started with surprise. "This is sensible of +you to come."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I am always sensible," remarked Herr von Schonan, very pointedly. +"Although you did not have the grace to invite me, I came to get your +consent to attend Toni's wedding. Of course, you will come to +Furstenstein with your children?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, certainly we will come; but we were all much surprised at this +haste. Did you not intend to buy an estate first? And that is not +usually accomplished so quickly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, but they want to get married. Our victors have become very +assuming since their heroic deeds. Waldorf simply declared upon his +return, 'Papa, you said when I left, First win in war and then marry; +now we have won and now I want to marry. I'll not wait any longer. The +estate has time to wait, but not the wedding, for that is the most +important.' So, since Toni is also convinced of this importance, +nothing was left for me to do but to name the wedding day."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Eschenhagen laughed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, young people are quick to marry, and they have so much time to +wait."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is not so with older folks," said Schonan, who had only been +looking for this opportunity and speedily made use of it. "Have you +considered the question at last, Regine?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What question?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our marrying. I hope you are now in the 'humor' for it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine turned away, somewhat offended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You like to be abrupt, Moritz. How did you get into the notion so +suddenly?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! you call that sudden?" the Chief Forester cried, indignantly. "I +made my first proposal to you five years ago; the second one last year, +and now I come for the third time, and yet you have not had sufficient +time to consider. Yes or no? If you send me away this time, I shall not +come back--depend upon that--and the whole courtship can go where it +wants to."</p> + +<p class="normal">Regine did not answer, but it was not indecision which made her +hesitate. Even this strange, original nature had a spice of deep +romance in her heart--love for the man who was once to be her husband, +Hartmut von Falkenried. When he had married another, she too had +pledged her hand, for she was not the kind to mourn her life away +uselessly; but the same bitter pain which had stung the young girl when +she approached the altar, awoke now again in the aging woman and closed +her lips; but it lasted only a few moments, then she threw the dream +from her with decision, and stretched out her hand to von Schonan.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, yes, Moritz. I will be a good and true wife to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank God!" cried Schonan, with a deep sigh of relief, for he had +taken the hesitation as a preliminary to a third refusal. "You should +have said that five years ago, Regine, but better late than never. At +last we have gotten so far."</p> + +<p class="normal">And with that the persistent wooer enclosed the finally won life +companion in a hearty embrace.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER LXI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">It was a hot summer day. Even in the forest one felt something of the +intense heat which flickered upon meadows and fields. Upon the forest +path a little group walked beneath the tall firs. It was General +Falkenried, with his son and daughter, who were accompanying him a part +of the way to Burgsdorf, where he intended making a visit.</p> + +<p class="normal">Falkenried had indeed become another person.</p> + +<p class="normal">The war which had been fatal to so many, and made others old before +their time, in spite of the victories and triumphs won, appeared to +have been a source of rejuvenation to him. Although the white hair and +deep furrows in the face remained, witnesses not to be erased of a +painful time, yet the face had life in it again; the eyes had regained +their old fire, and one saw now at the first glance that the man was +not so old, but stood yet in the fulness and power of life.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut had not yet entirely recovered, as his appearance proved. The +campaign had not made him younger. He looked older and graver, and the +still pale face, with the broad red scar upon the forehead, spoke of a +time of heavy suffering.</p> + +<p class="normal">The wound in itself had not been serious, but had become so through the +severe loss of blood, and the overexertion of the ride in the night of +the severe cold, so that at first all hope had been abandoned, and it +required months of careful nursing to give Hartmut back to life.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the old Hartmut, the son of Zalika, with his wild blood and +unbridled desire for freedom, had also died in this time of suffering. +It seemed as if with the name Rojanow, which he had cast forever from +him, the unfortunate inheritance from the mother had also been lost. +The heavy, dark curls were just beginning to grow again, and the high, +powerful forehead appeared more striking in its resemblance to his +father.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the young wife at his side bloomed in the fullest beauty of youth +and happiness. Whoever had seen her in her cold hauteur--her icy, +unapproachable manner, would hardly have recognized her in this bright, +slender woman, in her light summer costume, with fresh forest flowers +in her hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">The smile and tone with which she spoke to her husband and father had +never been known to Frau von Wallmoden; they had been learned only by +Adelaide von Falkenried.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not any farther, now," said the General, pausing in their walk. "You +have to take the return walk, and Hartmut must still be careful. The +physicians request that he be very prudent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father, if you only knew how depressing it feels to be considered an +invalid still, when I already feel full of life and power! I am really +well."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not place in jeopardy again what has been so hardly won," continued +the father. "You have not yet learned patience, but fortunately I know +you are under Ada's supervision, and she is strict on this subject."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, had it not been for Ada, there probably would not have been +anything to take care of," said Hartmut, with a look of deepest +affection upon his wife. "I believe I was in rather a hopeless +condition when she came to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The physicians, at least, gave me no hope when I sent off the dispatch +which called Ada to your side. You called for her in your first +conscious moment, to my boundless surprise, for I did not dream that +you ever knew each other."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was it not right to you, Papa?" asked the young wife, looking +smilingly up to the father, who drew her to his breast and pressed a +kiss upon her brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know best what you are to Hartmut and me, my child. I thanked God +that I could leave him under your nursing when I had to march on. And +you were right, too, when you persuaded him to remain here, although +the doctors wished to send him away. He has to learn to feel at home +first in the fatherland--must learn to understand and love again that +from which he has so long been estranged."</p> + +<p class="normal">"<i>Has</i> to learn it?" said Ada reproachfully. "What he read to you and +me to-day I should think would show that he has learned it already, and +that this new work bears another language from the wild, glowing +Arivana."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Hartmut, your new work is of great merit," said Falkenried, +giving his hand to his son. "I believe the fatherland will be proud of +my boy, even in times of peace."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut's eyes sparkled as he returned the pressure of the hand. He +knew what praise from his father's lips was worth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now, good-by." The General kissed his daughter-in-law again, "I +will drive from Burgsdorf directly to town, but we shall see each other +in a few days again. Farewell, children!"</p> + +<p class="normal">When he had disappeared behind the trees, Hartmut and Adelaide turned +on their homeward way, which led them by the Burgsdorf pond. +Involuntarily they paused beside it, and gazed upon the calm sheet of +water which lay so shiningly in the sun with its wreath of rushes and +water lilies.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have played boys' games here so often with Willy," said Hartmut +softly, "and here my future was decided on that fatal night. I realize +only now what I did to my father in that unfortunate hour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you have atoned for it fully," returned Ada, leaning her head on +her husband's shoulder. "It has been wiped out before the world, too, +which overwhelmed you and father on all sides with admiration and +appreciation when it was known who had done that heroic deed."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hartmut shook his head gravely.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was a deed of despair, not heroism. I did not believe that it would +succeed--nobody believed it; but even if I had fallen I should have +regained my lost honor by that ride through the enemy. Egon knew that, +and for that reason he put the rescue into my hands. When we said +farewell that icy winter night in the shattered walls of the little +chapel, we both felt that it was a final farewell, but we thought, too, +that I should be the victim, for I went into almost certain death. Fate +decreed differently. I was borne as by spirit hands through the dangers +to the accomplishment of my aim, and almost at the same hour Egon fell. +You need not hide your tears from me, Ada; I am not jealous of the +dead, for I loved him just as--he loved you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eugene brought me his last greeting," said the young wife, in whose +eyes shone the tears she had wished to conceal from her husband. "And +Stadinger, too, wrote me to fulfill his dying master's last request. I +fear the old man will not live much longer; his letter sounded as if he +were utterly crushed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Poor Egon!" In Hartmut's voice sounded the deep pain he felt for his +friend. "He was so full of sunny happiness and joy; he was created for +it and to give it. Perhaps you would have been happier at his side, +Ada, than with your wild, passionate Hartmut, who will trouble you +often enough with the dark side of his nature."</p> + +<p class="normal">Ada smiled up at him with the tears still in her eyes. "But I love this +wild, stormy Hartmut, and do not desire any greater happiness than to +be his wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">The forest lake lay in dreamy noonday stillness; grave and dark stood +the old firs over it; the rushes at its border whispered low, and +thousands of bright sparkles danced upon its surface.</p> + +<p class="normal">Above it curved the blue sky into which the boy had once wished to soar +like the falcon of which his race bore the name, higher and higher to +the sun. It beamed, too, now up there in shining splendor the powerful, +eternal sign of flame in the heavens!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>[THE END.]</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sign of Flame, by E. Werner + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIGN OF FLAME *** + +***** This file should be named 35069-h.htm or 35069-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/0/6/35069/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Sign of Flame + +Author: E. Werner + +Translator: Eva Freeman Hart + E. Van Gerpen + +Release Date: January 25, 2011 [EBook #35069] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIGN OF FLAME *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Page scan source: + http://www.archive.org/details/signofflame00werniala + + + + + + +[Illustration: "My son'. My only child! Do you not know your mother?" +Hartmut retreated, startled. "My mother is dead," he said in a low +tone. Page 26. _The Sign of Flame_.] + + + + + + + THE SIGN OF FLAME. + + + + FROM THE GERMAN OF E. WERNER + + + + TRANSLATED BY + + EVA FREEMAN HART AND E. VAN GERPEN + + + + + "Give me a nook and a book, + And let the proud world spin round." + + + + A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, + 52-58 DUANE STREET, NEW YORK + + + + + + + Copyright, 1902. BY A. L. BURT COMPANY. + + THE SIGN OF FLAME. + + Translated by Eva Freeman Hart and E. Van Gerpen. + + + + + + + THE SIGN OF FLAME + + + + + CHAPTER I. + + +Through the gray fog of an autumn morning a flock of birds took flight; +sweeping now, as if in farewell, close to the firs, so recently their +home--rising now to a goodly height, directing their flight toward the +south, and disappearing slowly in the veiled distance. + +The gloomy eyes of a man standing at a window of the large castle-like +mansion situated at the edge of the forest, followed this flight. + +He was of tall stature and powerful in physique; the erect bearing +would have betrayed the soldier even without the uniform which he wore: +his features not handsome but strong; hair light, and eyes blue; in +short, a typical German in appearance; but something like a shadow +rested on those features, and the high brow bore deeper furrows than +the years seemed to warrant. + +"There, the birds are already leaving," he said, pointing to the flock +which fluttered in the distance until lost entirely in the mass of fog. +"The autumn is here in nature and also in our lives." + +"Not yet in yours," interrupted his companion. "You are standing in +full strength at the height of your life." + +"Perhaps so considering years; but I feel as if old age would approach +me sooner than any one else. I feel much like the autumn of the year." + +The other gentleman, who was in civilian dress, was probably older than +his companion. His stature was of medium height and frail. At first +sight he appeared almost insignificant beside the powerful form of the +officer, but the pale, sharply outlined face bore an expression of +cold, superior calm; and the sarcastic line around the thin lips proved +that behind the cold composure expressed in his whole manner something +deeper lay concealed. + +He now shook his head with displeasure. + +"You take life too hard, Falkenried," he said reproachfully; "you have +changed remarkably in these last years. He who has seen you as a young +officer, merry as the day, would not recognize you now. And why all +this? The shadow which once clouded your life has long ago vanished; +you are heart and soul a soldier; you receive distinction at every +opportunity; an important position is assured you in the near future; +and, what is best--you have kept your son." + +Falkenried did not reply; he folded his arms and again looked out into +the gray distance. The other continued: + +"The boy has grown as handsome as a picture in these last few years. I +was quite surprised when I saw him, and even you confess that he is +extraordinarily gifted, and, moreover, in several respects is endowed +with absolute genius." + +"I wish Hartmut were less gifted and had more character instead," +Falkenried said in almost harsh tones. "He can make poetry and learn +languages as if it were play, but as soon as he begins earnest study he +remains far behind the others; while as to military strategy, nothing +whatever can be done with him. You have no idea, Wallmoden, what iron +severity I have to bring to bear on that." + +"I only fear that you do not accomplish much with this severity," +interrupted Wallmoden. "You should have followed my advice and sent +your son to the University. That he is not cut out for a soldier you +ought now finally to see." + +"He must and shall be fit for it; it is the only thing possible for his +unruly disposition, which chafes under every curb and feels every duty +a burden. The University--the life of a student--would give him fullest +liberty. Nothing but the iron discipline to which he has to bow keeps +him in check." + +"Yes, for a while; but can it force him in the future? You should not +deceive yourself. His are, unfortunately, inherited faults, which may +possibly be suppressed, but never uprooted. Hartmut is in appearance +the image of his mother; he has her features--her eyes." + +"Yes, I know," Falkenried said, gloomily, "her dark, demoniacal, +glowing eyes, which knew how to charm everything----" + +"And which became your ruin," completed Wallmoden. "How did I not warn +and implore against them, but you would not listen to anything. Passion +had taken hold of you like a fever and held you in bonds altogether. I +have never been able to understand it." + +A bitter smile flitted around Falkenried's mouth. + +"I believe that. You, the cool, calculating diplomat who carefully +measure every step, are safe from such charms." + +"I should at least be more careful in my choice. Your marriage brought +misfortune with it from the beginning. A wife of foreign race and +blood--of wild Slavian nature, without character, without any +understanding for that which is custom and duty to us, and you with +your strict principles--your irritable sense of honor--it had finally +to come to such an end. And I believe you loved her up to the +separation in spite of everything!" + +"No," said Falkenried harshly. "The illusion vanished in the first +year. I saw only too clearly--but I shuddered at the idea of laying my +domestic miseries open to the world by a divorce. I bore it until no +choice was left me--until I finally--but enough of it!" + +He turned quickly, and again looked out of the window. There was +suppressed torture in the sudden breaking off. + +"Yes, it needed much to tear a nature like yours from the roots," +Wallmoden said seriously; "but nevertheless the separation left you +free from the unfortunate claim, and with that you should have also +buried the reminiscences." + +"One cannot bury such reminiscences; they always rise up again from the +supposed grave, and just now----" Falkenried broke off suddenly. + +"Just now--what do you mean?" + +"Nothing; let us speak of other things. You have been at Burgsdorf +since the day before yesterday. How long do you intend to stay?" + +"Perhaps two weeks. I have not much time at my disposal, and am +Willibald's guardian really only in name, since the diplomatic service +keeps me mostly in foreign countries. In fact, the guardianship rests +in the hands of my sister, who rules everything, anyhow." + +"Yes, Regine is well up to her position," assented Falkenried. "She +rules the large estates and numerous people like a man." + +"And issues commands from morning to night like a sergeant," completed +Wallmoden. "With all due appreciation for her excellent qualities, I +always feel a slight rising of the hair at the prospect of a visit to +Burgsdorf, and I return from there regularly with shattered nerves. +Real primitive conditions rule in that place. Willibald is actually a +young bear, but the ideal of his mother for all that. She does her best +to raise him an ignorant young country squire. All interposition is of +no use, for he has every inclination for it, anyway." + +The entrance of a servant interrupted them. He handed a card to +Falkenried, which the latter glanced at hastily. + +"Herr Egern, Solicitor. Very well, show the gentleman in." + +"Have you a business engagement?" asked Wallmoden, rising. "I will not +disturb you." + +"On the contrary, I beg you to remain. I have been advised of this +visit, and know what will be discussed. It concerns----" + +He did not conclude, for the door opened and the one announced entered. + +He seemed surprised not to find the officer alone, as he had expected, +but the latter took no notice of the surprise. + +"Herr Egern, Solicitor--Herr von Wallmoden, Secretary of the +Ambassador." + +The barrister bowed with cool courtesy, and accepted the offered chair. + +"I probably have the honor of being familiar to you, Herr Major," he +began. "As counsel for your wife, I had occasional cause to meet you +personally in that suit for divorce." + +He stopped, and seemed to expect an answer, but Major Falkenried only +bowed in mute assent. Wallmoden now began to be attentive. He could now +understand the strangely irritable mood in which he had found his +friend upon his arrival. + +"I come to-day also in the name of my former client," continued the +lawyer. "She has asked me--may I speak freely?" + +He cast a glance at the Secretary, but Falkenried said shortly: + +"Herr von Wallmoden is my friend, and as such is familiar with the +case. I beg you to speak without restraint." + +"Very well, then--the lady has returned to Germany after long years of +absence, and naturally wishes to see her son. She has already written +to you on that behalf, but has not received an answer." + +"I should consider that a sufficient answer. I do not desire this +meeting, and therefore shall not permit it." + +"That sounds very harsh, Herr Major. Frau von Falkenried has +surely----" + +"Frau Zalika Rojanow, you mean to say," interrupted the Major. "She +resumed her maiden name, so far as I know, when she returned to her +country." + +"The name is of no consequence," replied the lawyer calmly. "The sole +consideration here is the perfectly justifiable wish of a mother, which +the father cannot and must not deny, even when, as in this case, the +son is given to him unconditionally." + +"Must not! And if he should do it, notwithstanding?" + +"Then he oversteps the borders of his rights. I would like to ask you, +Herr Major, to consider the matter calmly before speaking such a +decided 'No.' The rights of a mother cannot be so completely cancelled +by a decision of the court that one may even deny her a meeting with +her only child. The law is upon the side of my client in this case, and +she will enforce it, if my personal appeal is ignored as was her +written request." + +"She may try it then. I will let it come to the test. My son does not +know that his mother is alive, and shall not learn it just yet. I do +not wish that he should see and speak to her, and I shall know how to +prevent it. My 'No' remains unchanged." + +These remarks were given quietly, but upon Falkenried's features there +lay an ashy paleness, and his voice sounded hollow and threatening. The +awful excitement under which he labored was apparent; only with supreme +effort could he force himself to outward calm. The lawyer seemed to +understand the fruitlessness of further effort. He only shrugged his +shoulders. + +"If this be your final decision, then my errand is, of course, +finished, and we must decide later upon further moves. I am sorry to +have disturbed you, Herr Major." + +He took his leave with the same cool politeness with which he had +entered. + +Falkenried sprang up and paced the room stormily after the door had +closed upon the lawyer. A depressing silence reigned for a few moments, +after which Wallmoden spoke half audibly. + +"You ought not to have done that. Zalika will hardly submit to your +'No.' If you remember, she carried on a life-and-death struggle for her +child at that time." + +"But I remained victor. I hope she has not forgotten that." + +"At that time it concerned the possession of the boy," interrupted the +friend. "The mother now only requests to see him again, and you will +not be able to deny her that when she demands it with decision." + +The Major came to a sudden standstill, but there was a scarcely veiled +contempt in his voice as he said: + +"She dares not do that after all that happened. Zalika learned to know +me in our parting hour. She will take care not to force me to extremes +a second time." + +"But she will perhaps try to obtain secretly what you refuse her +openly." + +"That will be impossible; the discipline of our school is too strict. +No relations could be started there of which I would not be notified +immediately." + +Wallmoden did not seem to share this confidence; he shook his head +doubtingly. + +"I confess that I consider your keeping, with such persistence, the +knowledge of his mother's existence from your son a mistake. If he +should hear it now from another source--what then? And you will have to +tell him finally." + +"Perhaps after two years, when he enters life independently. He is +still but a scholar--a mere boy. I cannot yet draw the veil from the +tragedy which was once enacted in the home of his parents--I cannot." + +"Then at least be upon your guard. You know your former wife--know what +can be expected from her. I fear there are no impossibilities for that +woman." + +"Yes, I know her," said Falkenried with boundless bitterness, "and just +for that reason I will protect my son from her at any cost. He shall +not breathe the poison of her presence for even an hour. Rest assured, +I do not underrate the danger of Zalika's return, but as long as +Hartmut remains at my side he will be safe from her, for she will not +approach me again. I pledge you my word for that." + +"We will hope so," returned Wallmoden, rising and giving his hand, "but +do not forget that the greatest danger lies in Hartmut himself. He is +in every respect the son of his mother. I hear you will come with him +to Burgsdorf the day after tomorrow?" + +"Yes; he always spends the short autumn vacation with Willibald. I +myself can probably stay only for the day, but I shall surely come with +him. Au revoir!" + +The Ambassador's Secretary departed, and Falkenried again approached +the window, glancing only hastily after the friend, who bowed once +more. His glance was again lost with the former gloom, in the gray +masses of fog. + +"The son of his mother!" + +The words rang in his ears, but there was no need for another to tell +him that. He had long known it, and it was this knowledge that furrowed +his brow so deeply and caused those heavy sighs. + +He was a man to offer himself to every open danger, but he had +struggled in vain, with all his energy for years, against this +unfortunate inheritance of the blood in his only son. + + + + + CHAPTER II. + + +"Now I request that this utter foolishness shall end, for my patience +is exhausted. There has been an awful turmoil in all Burgsdorf for +three days, as if the place were conjured. Hartmut is full of +foolishness from head to toe. When once he gets free from the rein +which his father draws so tight there is no getting on with him. And +you, of course, go with him through thick and thin, following +obediently everything that your lord and master starts. You are a fine +team!" + +This lecture, delivered in very loud tones, came from the lips of Frau +von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf, who sat at breakfast with her son and +brother. + +The large dining-room was in the lower story of the old mansion, and +was a rather bare room, the glass doors of which led to a broad +terrace, and from there into the garden. Some antlers hung upon the +whitewashed walls, giving evidence of the Nimrod proclivities of former +owners. They were also the only ornament of the room. + +A dozen straightback chairs standing in stiff rows like grenadiers, a +heavy dining table, and two old-fashioned sideboards constituted all of +the furniture, which, as one could see, had already served several +generations. + +Articles of luxury, such as carpets, wallpaper or paintings, were not +there. The inmates were apparently satisfied with the old, inherited +things, although Burgsdorf was one of the richest estates in the +vicinity. + +The appearance of the lady of the house corresponded fully with the +surroundings. She was about forty years old; of tall, powerful figure, +blooming complexion, and strong, heavy features, which were very +energetic, but which could never have been beautiful. Nothing escaped +easily the glance of those sharp, gray eyes; the dark hair was combed +back plainly; the dress was simple and serviceable, and one could see +that her hands knew how to work. + +This robust person lacked gracefulness, certainly, but possessed +something decidedly masculine in carriage and appearance. + +The heir and future lord of Burgsdorf, who was scolded in this way, sat +opposite his mother, listening, as in duty bound, while he helped +himself bountifully to ham and eggs. He was a handsome, ruddy-faced boy +of about seventeen years, with features which might portray great good +nature, but no surplus of intellect. His sunburned face was full of +glowing health, but otherwise bore little resemblance to his mother's. +It lacked her energetic expression. The blue eyes and light hair must +have been an inheritance from the father. With his powerful but awkward +limbs he looked like a young giant, and offered the completest contrast +to his Uncle Wallmoden, who sat at his side, and who now said with a +tinge of sarcasm: + +"You really ought not to make Willibald responsible for the pranks and +tricks. He is certainly the ideal of a well-raised son." + +"I should advise him not to be anything else. Obeying of orders is what +I insist upon," exclaimed Frau von Eschenhagen, slapping the table with +such force as to cause her brother to start nervously. + +"Yes, one learns that under your regime," he replied, "but I would like +to advise you, dear Regine, to do a little more for the mental training +of your son. I do not doubt that he will grow up a splendid farmer +under your leadership, but something more is required in the education +of a future lord, and as Willibald has outgrown tutors, it may be time +to send him off." + +"Send him----" Frau Regine laid down knife and fork in boundless +amazement. "Send him off!" she repeated indignantly. "In gracious name, +where to?" + +"Well, to the University, and later on let him travel, that he may see +something of the world and its people." + +"And that he may be totally ruined in this world and among these +people! No, Herbert, that will not do. I tell you right now. I have +raised my boy in honesty and the fear of God, and have no idea of +letting him go into that Sodom and Gomorrah from which our dear Lord +keeps the rain of fire and brimstone by His long-suffering alone." + +"But you know this Sodom and Gomorrah only by hearsay, Regine," +interrupted Herbert sarcastically. "You have lived in Burgsdorf ever +since your marriage, but your son must one day enter life as a man--you +must acknowledge that." + +"I do not acknowledge anything," declared Frau von Eschenhagen +stubbornly. "Willy shall be a thoroughly capable farmer. He is fitted +for that and does not need your learned trash for it. Or do you, +perhaps, wish to take him in training for a diplomat. That would be +capital fun!" + +She laughed loudly, and Willy, to whom this proposition seemed as +ridiculous, joined in in the same key. + +Herr von Wallmoden did not indulge in this hilarity, which seemed to +jar upon his nerves. He only shrugged his shoulders. + +"I do not intend that, indeed; it would probably be lost pains; but I +and Willibald are now the only representatives of the family, and if I +should remain unmarried----" + +"_If?_ Are you contemplating marriage in your old age?" interrupted his +sister in her inconsiderate manner. + +"I am forty-five years old, dear Regine. That is not usually considered +old in a man," said Wallmoden, somewhat offended. "At any rate, I +consider a late contracted marriage the best, because then one is not +influenced by passion as was Falkenried to his great misfortune, but +one allows reason to guide the decision." + +"May God help me! Must Willy wait until he has fifty years upon his +back and gray hairs upon his head before he marries!" exclaimed Frau +von Eschenhagen, horrified. + +"No; for he must consider the fact that he is an only son and future +lord of the estates; besides, it will depend upon an individual +attachment. What do you say, Willibald?" + +The young future lord, who had just finished his ham and eggs, and was +now turning with unappeased appetite to the _wurst_, was apparently +greatly surprised at having his opinion asked. Such a thing happened so +seldom that he was now thrown into a spell of deep musing, declaring as +the result of it: + +"Yes; I shall probably have to marry some time, but mamma will find me +a wife when the time comes." + +"That she will, my boy," affirmed Frau von Eschenhagen. "That is my +affair; you do not need to worry about it at all. You will remain here +in Burgsdorf, where I shall have you under my eyes. Universities and +travels are not to be considered--that is decided." + +She threw a challenging glance at her brother, but he was regarding +with a kind of horror the enormous amount of eatables which his nephew +was piling upon his plate for the second time. + +"Do you always have such a healthy appetite, Willy?" he asked. + +"Always," assured Willy with satisfaction, taking another huge piece of +bread and butter. + +"Yes; God be thanked, we do not suffer from indigestion here," said +Frau Regine, somewhat pointedly. "We deserve our meals honestly. First +play and work, then eat and drink, and heartily--that keeps soul and +body together. Just look at Willy, how he has prospered with that +treatment. He need never be ashamed to be seen." + +She slapped her brother upon the shoulder in a friendly manner at these +words, but so heartily that Wallmoden hastily pushed his chair out of +her reach. His face betrayed plainly that his hair was "standing on +end" again; but he gave up the enforcing of his rights as guardian in +the face of these primitive conditions. + +Willy, on the contrary, apparently discovered that he had turned out +extraordinarily well, and looked very pleased at this praise of his +mother, who continued now rather vexedly: + +"And Hartmut has not come to breakfast again! He seems to allow himself +all sorts of irregularities here at Burgsdorf, but I shall lecture the +young man when he comes, and make him----" + +"Here he is already!" cried a voice from the garden. + +A shadow fell athwart the bright sunshine that poured in through the +open window, in which there suddenly appeared a youthful form, which +swung itself through from the outside. + +"Boy, are you out of your senses that you enter through the window?" +exclaimed Frau von Eschenhagen indignantly. "What are the doors for?" + +"For Willy and other well-raised people," laughed the intruder +mirthfully. "I always take the shortest route, and this time it led +through this window." + +With one jump he landed in the middle of the room from the high sill. + +Hartmut Falkenried, like the future lord of Burgsdorf, stood at the +border between boyhood and manhood, but beyond that likeness it +required but a glance to see the superiority of Hartmut in every +respect. + +He wore the cadet uniform, which became him wonderfully, but there was +something in his whole appearance indicative of a revolt against the +strict military cut. + +The tall, slender boy was a true picture of youth and beauty, but this +beauty had something strange and foreign about it; the movement and +whole appearance had a wild, unruled element; and not a feature +reminded one of the powerful, soldierly figure and grave composure of +the father. The thick, curly hair of a blue-black color, falling over +the high brow, denoted a son of the South, rather than a German; the +eyes also, which glowed in the youthful face, did not belong to the +cold, calm North; they were mysterious eyes, dark as night, yet full of +hot, passionate fire. Beautiful as they were, there was something +uncanny about them. + +And now the laugh, with which Hartmut looked from one to another of the +assembly, had more of the supercilious about it than of a boy's hearty +mirth. + +"You introduce yourself in a very unconventional manner," said +Wallmoden sharply; "you seem to think that no etiquette is to be +observed at Burgsdorf. I hardly think your father would have permitted +such an entrance into a dining-room." + +"He does not take such liberties with his father," said Frau von +Eschenhagen, who fortunately did not feel the stab which lay for her +also in her brother's words. "So you finally come now, Hartmut, when +we have finished breakfast? But late people do not get anything to +eat--you know that." + +"Yes, I know it," returned Hartmut, quite unconcerned; "therefore I got +the housekeeper to give me some breakfast. You can't starve me out, +Aunt Regine. I am on too good terms with all your people." + +"So you think you will be able to take all sorts of liberties +unpunished," cried the lady of the house angrily. "You break all the +rules of the house; you leave no person nor thing in peace; you stand +all Burgsdorf upon its head! We shall know how to stop all that, my +boy. I shall send a messenger over to your father to-morrow, to ask him +to kindly come for his son, who can be taught no punctuality or +obedience." + +This threat was effective; the boy grew serious and found it best to +yield. + +"Oh, all that is only jesting," he said. "Am I not to utilize the short +vacation----" + +"For all sorts of foolishness?" interrupted Frau von Eschenhagen. +"Willy in all his life has not done so many pranks as you in these last +three days. You will ruin him for me by your bad example and make him +also disobedient." + +"Oh, Willy can't be ruined; all pains are thrown away with him," +confessed Hartmut frankly. + +The young lord did not look, indeed, as if he had any inclination to +disobedience. Quite unconcerned by all this conversation, he calmly +finished his breakfast by still another piece of bread and butter; but +his mother was highly incensed over this remark. + +"You are doubtless extremely sorry for that," she exclaimed. "You +have taken pains enough to ruin him. Very well, it remains as I +said--to-morrow I write to your father." + +"To come for me? You will not do that, Aunt Regine. You are too good to +do that. You know very well how strict papa is--how harshly he can +punish. You surely will not accuse me to him--you have never done so +before." + +"Leave me alone, boy, with your flatteries." Frau Regine's face was +still very grim, but her voice already betrayed a perceptible wavering, +and Hartmut knew how to take the advantage offered. With the artless +frankness of a boy, he laid his arm around her shoulders. + +"I thought you loved me a little bit, Aunt Regine. I--I have +anticipated this trip to Burgsdorf so joyously for weeks. I have longed +until I was sick, for forest and lake, for the green meadows and the +wide, blue sky; I have been so happy here--but, of course, if you do +not want me, I shall leave immediately; you do not need to send me +away." + +His voice sank to a soft, coaxing whisper, while the large, dark eyes +helped with the pleading only too effectively. They could speak more +fervently than the lips; they seemed, indeed, to have peculiar power. + +Frau von Eschenhagen, who to Willy and all Burgsdorf, was the stern, +absolute ruler, now allowed herself to be moved to compliance. + +"Well, then, behave yourself, you Eulenspiegel," she said, running her +fingers through his thick curls. "As to sending you away, you know only +too well that Willy and all my people are perfectly foolish about +you--and so am I." + +Hartmut shouted in his happiness at these last words, and kissed her +hand in fervent gratitude. Then he turned to his friend, who had now +happily mastered his last sandwich, and was regarding the scene before +him in quiet amazement. + +"Are you through with your breakfast at last, Willy? Come on; we wished +to go to the Burgsdorf pond--now don't be so slow and deliberate. +Good-by, Aunt Regine. I see that Uncle Wallmoden is not pleased in the +least that you have pardoned me. Hurrah! Now we are off for the woods." + +And away he dashed over the terraces and down to the garden. There was +in this unruliness an overflowing youthful happiness and strength that +were enchanting; the lad was all life and fire. Willy trotted behind +him like a young bear, and they disappeared in a few seconds behind the +trees and shrubberies. + +"He comes and goes like a whirlwind," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +looking after them. "That boy cannot be restrained when once the reins +are slackened." + +"A dangerous lad!" declared Wallmoden. "He understands how to rule even +you, who otherwise rule supreme. It is the first time in my knowledge +that you pardon disobedience and unpunctuality." + +"Yes, Hartmut has something about him that really bewitches a body," +exclaimed Frau von Eschenhagen, half vexed over her yielding. "When he +looks at one with those glowing, black eyes, and begs and pleads +besides, I would like to see the one who could say no. You are right; +he is a dangerous lad." + +"Yes, very true; but let us leave Hartmut alone now and consider the +education of your own son. You have really decided----" + +"To keep him at home. Do not trouble yourself, Herbert. You may be an +important diplomat and carry the whole political business in your +pockets, but nevertheless I do not surrender my boy to you. He belongs +to me alone, and I keep him--settled!" + +A hearty slap upon the table accompanied this "settled," with which the +reigning mistress of Burgsdorf arose and walked out of doors; but her +brother shrugged his shoulders, and muttered half audibly: "Let him +become a country squire, for all I care--it may be best, anyhow." + + + + + CHAPTER III. + + +In the meantime, Hartmut and Willibald had reached the forest belonging +to the estate. The Burgsdorf pond, a lonely water bordered by rushes in +the midst of the forest, lay motionless, shining in the sunlight of the +quiet morning hour. + +The young lord found for himself a shady place upon the bank, and +devoted himself comfortably and persistently to the interesting +occupation of fishing, while the impatient Hartmut roamed around, +starting a bird here, plucking rushes and flowers there, and finally +indulging in gymnastics upon the trunk of a tree which lay half in the +water. + +"Can you never be quiet in one place? You scare off all the fishes," +said Willy, displeased. "I have not caught a thing to-day." + +"How can you sit for hours in one spot waiting for the stupid +fishes--but, of course, you can roam through field and forest all the +year round whenever you like. You are free--free!" + +"Are you imprisoned?" asked Willy. "Are not you and your companions out +of doors every day?" + +"But never alone--never without restraint and supervision. We are +eternally on duty, even in the hours of recreation. Oh, how I hate +it--this duty and life of slavery!" + +"But, Hartmut, what if your father should hear that?" + +"He would punish me again, then, as usual. He has nothing for me but +severity and punishment. I don't care--it's all the same to me." + +He threw himself upon the grass, but harsh and disagreeable as his +words sounded, there was in them something like a pained, passionate +complaint. + +Willy only shook his head deliberately fastening a new bait to his hook +meanwhile, and deep silence reigned for a few moments. + +Suddenly something dashed down from on high, lightning-like; the water, +just now so motionless, splashed and foamed, and in the next moment a +heron rose high in the air, carrying the struggling, silver-shining +prey in his bill. + +"Bravo! that was a splendid shot," cried Hartmut, starting up, but +Willy scolded vexedly. "The con---- robber strips our whole pond. I +shall tell the forester to keep an eye on him." + +"A robber!" repeated Hartmut, as his eyes followed the heron, which now +disappeared behind the tree-tops. "Yes, surely; but it must be +beautiful--such a free robber's life high up in the air. To dash down +from the heights like a flash of lightning--to grab the booty, then +soar high with it again where no one can follow--that is worthy of the +chase." + +"Hartmut, I actually believe you have a good notion to lead such a +robber's life," said Willy, with the deep horror of a well-raised boy +for such inclinations. + +His companion laughed, but it was again that harsh, strange laugh which +had in it nothing youthful. + +"And if I should have it, they would know how to get it out of me at +the cadets' school. There is obedience--discipline--the Alpha and Omega +of all things, and one finally learns it, too. Willy, have you never +longed for wings?" + +"I? Wings?" ejaculated Willy, whose full attention was again directed +to hook and line. "Nonsense! who could wish for impossibilities?" + +"I wish I had some," cried Hartmut, flaming up. "I wish I were one of +the falcons of which we hear. Then I would soar high up into the blue +air--always higher and higher toward the sun, and would never, never +come back." + +"I think you are crazy," said the young lord calmly; "but I have not +caught anything yet; the fish will not bite at all to-day. I must try +another spot." + +He gathered up his fishing paraphernalia and went to the other side of +the pond. + +Hartmut threw himself upon the ground again. + +How could he expect that the stolid, matter-of-fact Willibald should +harbor thoughts of flying! + +It was one of those autumn days which seem to charm back the summer for +a few short hours--the sunshine was so golden, the air so mild, the +woods so fresh and fragrant. Thousands of brilliant sparkles danced +upon the water; the rushes whispered low and mysteriously as the air +breathed through them. + +Hartmut lay quite motionless, listening to this mystery of whispering +and fluttering. The wild, passionate flame, which had flared up almost +uncannily when he spoke of the bird of prey, had disappeared from his +eyes. Now they were riveted dreamily upon the shining blue of the sky, +with a consuming longing in their depths. + +Light footsteps drew near, almost inaudible on the soft forest soil; +the bushes rustled as if brushed by a silken garment, and parted; a +female figure emerged noiselessly and stopped short, fixing an intent +look upon the young dreamer. + +"Hartmut!" + +He started and sprang up quickly. He did not know the voice, nor the +stranger, but it was a lady, and he bowed chivalrously. + +"Gracious lady----" + +A slender and trembling hand was laid hastily and warningly upon his +arm. + +"Hush--not so loud--your companion might hear us, and I must speak with +you, Hartmut--with you alone." + +She stepped back again and motioned him to follow. Hartmut hesitated a +moment. How came this stranger, whose face was closely veiled, but who, +to judge by her dress, belonged to the highest class, at this lonely +forest pond? And what was the meaning of the familiar "thou" from her +to him, whom she saw now for the first time? But the mystery of the +encounter began to interest him, and he followed her. + +They stopped under the protection of the bushes where they could not be +seen from the other side, and the stranger slowly raised her veil. + +She was no longer in her youth--a woman still in her thirties--but the +face with the dark, flashing eyes possessed a strange fascination, and +the same charm was in the voice, which, even in the whisper, was soft +and deep, with a foreign accent, as if the German which she spoke so +fluently was not her native tongue. + +"Hartmut, look at me. Do you really not remember me? Have you not kept +some recollection from your childhood that tells you who I am?" + +The young man shook his head slowly, and yet there arose in his mind a +remembrance, misty and dreamlike, that told him he did not now hear +this voice for the first time--that he had seen this face before in +times long, long past. Half timidly, half transfixed, he stood there +gazing upon the stranger, who suddenly stretched out both arms toward +him. + +"My son! my only child! do you not know your mother?" + +Hartmut retreated, startled. + +"My mother is dead," he said in a low tone. + +The stranger laughed bitterly; it sounded exactly like that harsh, +unchildlike laugh which had come from the lips of the lad only a short +while ago. + +"So that is it; they have called me dead. They would not leave you even +the memory of your mother. But it is not true, Hartmut. I live--I stand +before you. Look at me! look at my features, which are yours also. They +could not take those from you. Child of my heart, do you not feel that +you belong to me?" + +Still Hartmut stood motionless, looking into the face in which he saw +his own reflected as in a mirror. There were the same features, +the same abundant, blue-black hair; the same large, deep black +eyes--yes--even the strange demoniac expression which glowed like a +flame in the mother's eyes, glimmered as a spark in the eyes of the +son. The natural resemblance showed that they were of the same blood, +and now the voice of that blood woke up in the young man. + +He did not ask for explanations--for proofs; the confused, dream-like +recollections suddenly became clear. Only one more second of +hesitation, then he threw himself into the arms which were open for +him. + +"Mother!" + +In the exclamation lay the glowing devotion of the lad, who had never +known what it was to possess a mother, and who had longed for it with +all his passionate nature. + +His mother! As he lay in her arms while she overwhelmed him with +passionate caresses--with tender, fond names such as he had never +heard, all else disappeared in the flood of overwhelming delight. + +Several minutes passed thus, then Hartmut disengaged himself from the +embrace which would have detained him. + +"Why have you never been with me, mamma?" he asked vehemently. "Why did +they tell me that you were dead?" + +Zalika drew back. In a moment all the tenderness vanished from her +face; a light kindled there of wild, deadly hatred, and the answer came +hissing from her lips: + +"Because your father hates me, my son, and because he did not wish to +leave me even the love of my only child when he thrust me from him." + +Hartmut was silent with consternation. He knew well that no one dared +mention his mother's name in his father's presence--that his father had +once silenced him with the greatest harshness when he had ventured to +ask for her, but he had been too young to muse over the why. + +Zalika did not give him time for it now. She stroked the dark, curly +hair back from the high forehead, and a shadow rested on her face. + +"You have his brow," she said slowly, "but that is the only thing to +remind of him; everything else belongs to me--to me alone. Every +feature tells that you are wholly mine. I knew it would be so." + +Again she embraced him, overwhelming him with caresses, which Hartmut +returned as passionately. It was an intoxication of happiness to +him--like one of the fairy tales of which he had so often dreamed, and +he gave himself up to the charm unquestioningly and unreservedly. + +But now Willy made himself heard on the opposite bank, calling loudly +for his friend, and reminding him that it was time to return home. + +Zalika started. + +"We must part. Nobody must know that I have seen you and spoken with +you, particularly your father. When do you return to him?" + +"In eight days." + +"Not until then?" The tone was triumphant. "I shall see you every day +until then. Be here at the pond to-morrow at the same hour. Dispense +with your companion under some pretext, so that we may be undisturbed. +You will come, Hartmut?" + +"Certainly mother, but----" + +She did not give him time for an excuse, but continued in the same +passionate whisper: + +"Above all, be silent to everybody; do not forget that. Farewell, my +child, my beloved only son. Au revoir!" + +One more fervent kiss upon Hartmut's brow, then she vanished in the +bushes as mysteriously as she had appeared. It was quite time, for +Willy appeared on the scene, his approach being heralded by his heavy +stamping upon the forest ground. + +"Why do you not answer?" he demanded. "I have called three times. Did +you fall asleep? You look as if you had been startled from a dream." + +Hartmut stood as if stunned, gazing upon the bushes in which his mother +had disappeared. At his cousin's words he straightened himself and drew +his hand across his brow. + +"Yes, I have been dreaming," he said, slowly; "quite a wonderful, +strange dream." + +"You might rather have been fishing," said Willy; "just see what a +splendid catch I got over on the other bank. A person ought not to +dream in broad daylight. He ought to be properly occupied, my mother +says--and my mother is always right." + + + + + CHAPTER IV. + + +The families of Falkenried and Wallmoden had been friendly for years. +As owners of adjoining estates they visited each other frequently; the +children grew up together, and many mutual interests drew the bonds of +friendship still closer. + +As both families were only comfortably well off, the sons had their own +way to make, which, after completing their education, Major Hartmut von +Falkenried and Herbert Wallmoden had done. They had been playmates as +children, and had remained true to that friendship when grown to +manhood. + +At one time the parents thought to cement this friendship by a marriage +between the--at that time--Lieutenant Falkenried and Regine Wallmoden. +The young couple seemed in perfect accord with it, and all looked +propitious for the match, when something took place which brought the +plan to a sudden end. + +A cousin of the Wallmoden family--an incorrigible fellow who, through +divers bad capers, had made it impossible to remain at home, had, long +ago, gone out into the wide world. After much travel and a rather +adventurous life, he had landed in Roumania, where he acted as +inspector upon the estates of a rich Bojar. The rich man died, and the +inspector thought best to retrieve his lost fortunes and position in +life by marriage with the widow. + +It was consummated, and he returned to his old home, accompanied by his +wife, for a visit to his relatives, after an absence of more than ten +years. + +Frau von Wallmoden's bloom of youth had long passed, but she brought +with her her daughter by her first marriage--Zalika Rojanow. + +The young girl, hardly seventeen years old, with her foreign beauty and +charm of her glowing temperament, burst like a meteor upon the horizon +of this German country nobility, whose life flowed in such calm, even +channels. + +And she was a strange object in this circle, whose forms and manners +she disregarded with sovereign indifference, and who stared at her as +at a being from another world. There was many a serious shaking of +heads and much condemnation, which was not uttered aloud, because they +saw in the girl only a temporary visitor, who would disappear as +suddenly as she had come into view. + +Just about this time Hartmut Falkenried came from his garrison to the +paternal estates, and became acquainted with the new relatives of his +friends. He saw Zalika and recognized in her his fate. It was one of +those passions which spring up lightning-like--which resemble the +intoxication of a dream, and are paid for only too frequently with the +penance of the whole life. + +Forgotten were the wishes of the parents, his own plans for the +future--forgotten the quiet affection which had drawn him to his +playmate Regine. He no longer had eyes for the domestic flower which +bloomed young and fresh for him; he breathed only the intoxicating +perfume of the foreign wonder-plant. All else disappeared before her, +and in a quiet hour with her he threw himself at her feet, confessing +his love. + +Strangely enough, his feelings were returned. Perhaps it was the truth +of extremes meeting which drew Zalika to a man who was her opposite in +every respect; perhaps she was flattered by the fact that a glance, a +word from her could change the grave, calm and almost gloomy nature of +the young officer to enthusiasm. + +Enough, she accepted his proposal and he was permitted to embrace her +as his betrothed. + +The news of this engagement created a storm in the whole family circle; +entreaties and warnings came from all sides; even Zalika's mother and +stepfather opposed it, but the universal disapproval only increased the +determination of the young couple, and six months later Falkenried led +his young wife into his home. + +But the voices who prophesied misfortune to this marriage were in the +right. The bitterest disappointment followed the short term of +happiness. It had been a dangerous mistake to believe that a woman like +Zalika Rojanow, grown up in boundless freedom and accustomed to the +uncontrolled, extravagant life of the families of the Bojars of her +country, could ever submit herself to German views and conditions. + +To gallop about on fiery horses; to associate freely with men who spent +their time in hunting and gambling, and who surrounded themselves in +their homes with a splendor which went hand in hand with the most +corrupted indebtedness of estates--such was life as she had known it so +far, and the only life which suited her. + +A conception of duty was as foreign to her as the knowledge of her new +position in life. And this woman was to accommodate herself now to the +household of a young officer of but limited means, and to the +conditions of a small German garrison! + +That this was impossible was proved in the first weeks. Zalika began by +throwing aside every consideration, and furnishing her house in her +usual style, squandering heedlessly her by no means insignificant +dowry. + +In vain her husband entreated, remonstrated; he found no hearing. She +had only sarcasm for forms and rules which were holy to him; only a +shrug of the shoulder for his strict sense of honor and ideas of +decorum. + +Very soon they had the most vehement controversies, and Falkenried +recognized too late the serious error which he had committed. He had +counted upon the all-powerful efficacy of love to battle against those +warning voices which had pointed out the difference of descent, +education and character, but he was forced now to recognize that Zalika +had never loved him; that caprice alone, or a sudden outburst of +passion, which died as suddenly, had brought her to his arms. + +She saw in him now only the uncomfortable companion who begrudged her +every pleasure of life; who, with his foolish--his ridiculous ideas of +honor, fettered and bound her on every side. Still, she feared this +man, whose dominant will succeeded always in bowing her characterless +nature under his rod. + +Even the birth of little Hartmut was not sufficient to reconcile this +unhappy marriage; it only held it, apparently, together. Zalika loved +her child passionately; she knew her husband would never permit her to +keep it if they separated. This alone retained her at his side, while +Falkenried bore his domestic misery with concealed pain, putting forth +every effort to hide it at least from the world. + +Nevertheless, the world knew the truth; it knew things of which the +husband did not even dream and which were kept concealed from him +through sheer compassion. + +But finally the day came when the deceived husband was told what was no +secret to others. + +The immediate result following was a duel in which Falkenried's +opponent fell. Falkenried himself was imprisoned, but was soon +pardoned. + +Every one knew that the offended husband had only vindicated his honor. + +In the meantime, steps were taken for a divorce, which was granted in +due time. Zalika made no opposition. She dared not approach her +husband; she trembled before him since that hour of separation, when he +had called her to account; but she made desperate efforts to secure the +possession of her child, fighting as for life. + +It was in vain. Hartmut was given unconditionally to his father, who +knew how to prevent every approach of the mother with iron +inflexibility. + +Zalika was not even allowed to see her son again, and it was only after +convincing herself entirely on that point that she left--returning to +the home of her mother. + +She had seemed lost to and forgotten by her former husband until she +suddenly reappeared in Germany, where Major Falkenried now held an +important position in the large military school at the Residenz. + + * * * * * + +It was about a week after the arrival of Hartmut at Burgsdorf. Frau von +Eschenhagen was in her sitting-room with Major Falkenried, who had but +just arrived. + +The topic of their conversation seemed to be very serious and of a +rather disagreeable nature, for Falkenried listened with a gloomy face +to his friend, who was speaking. + +"I noticed Hartmut's changed demeanor the third or fourth day. The boy, +whose mirth at first knew no bounds, so that I even threatened to send +him back home, suddenly became subdued. He committed no more foolish +pranks, but roamed for hours through the woods alone, and when he +returned was always dreaming with his eyes open, to such an extent that +one had almost to awake him. 'He is beginning to get sensible,' said +Herbert; but I said, 'Things are not going right; there is something +behind all this,' and I questioned my Willy, who also appeared quite +peculiar. He was actually in the plot. He had surprised the two one +day. Hartmut had made him promise to keep silent, and my boy positively +hid something from _me, his mother!_ He confessed only when I got after +him seriously. Well, he will not do it a second time. I have taken care +of that." + +"And Hartmut? What did he say?" interrupted the Major hastily. + +"Nothing at all, for I have not spoken a syllable to him about it. He +would probably have asked me why he should not see and speak to his own +mother, and only--his father can give him the answer to that question." + +"He has probably heard it already from the other side," said Falkenried +bitterly; "but he has hardly learned the truth." + +"I fear so, too, and therefore I did not lose a minute in notifying you +after discovering the affair. But what next?" + +"I shall have to interfere now," replied the Major with forced +composure. "I thank you, Regine. I apprehended trouble when your letter +called me so imperatively. Herbert was right. I ought not to have +allowed my son to leave my side for an hour under the circumstances. +But I believed him safe from every approach here at Burgsdorf. And he +anticipated the trip with such pleasure--he longed for it almost +passionately. I did not have the heart to refuse him. He is happy, +anyway, only when absent from me." + +There was deep pain in the last words, but Frau von Eschenhagen only +shrugged her shoulders. + +"That is not the fault of the boy alone," she said straightforwardly. +"I also keep my Willy under good control, but nevertheless he knows +that he has a mother whose heart is full of him. Hartmut does not know +that of his father. He knows him only from a grave, unapproachable +side. If he had an idea that you idolize him secretly----" + +"He would abuse the knowledge and disarm me with his caressing +tenderness. Shall I allow myself to be ruled by him as every one else +is who comes into his presence? His comrades follow him blindly +although he brings punishment upon them by his pranks. He has your +Willibald completely under control--yes, even his teachers treat him +with particular indulgence. I am the only one he fears, and +consequently the only one he respects." + +"And you think by fear alone to succeed with the boy, who is doubtless +now being overwhelmed with the most senseless caresses! Do not turn +away, Falkenried; you know I have never mentioned that name to you, but +now that it is brought forward so prominently, one may speak it. And +since we happen to be upon the subject, I tell you frankly that nothing +else could be expected since Frau Zalika's appearance. It would have +done no good to have kept Hartmut from Burgsdorf, for one cannot treat +a seventeen-year-old lad like a little child. The mother would have +found her way to him in spite of all--and it was her right. I would +have done just so, too." + +"Her right!" cried the Major angrily. "And you tell me that, Regine?" + +"I say it because I know what it is to have an only child. That you +should take the child from its mother was right--such a mother was not +fit for the raising of a boy--but that you now refuse to let her see +her son again after twelve years is harshness and cruelty, which hatred +alone can teach you. However great her faults may be, that punishment +is too severe." + +Falkenried stared gloomily before him--he might have felt the truth of +the words. Finally he said, slowly: + +"I would never have thought that you would take Zalika's part. I +offended you bitterly once for her sake--I broke a bond----" + +"Which had not even been tied," interrupted Frau von Eschenhagen. "It +was a plan of our parents--nothing more." + +"But the idea was dear and familiar to us from childhood. Do not +attempt to excuse me, Regine; I only know too well what I did at that +time to you and--to myself." + +Regine fixed her clear, gray eyes upon him, but there was a moist gleam +in them as she replied: + +"Well, yes, Hartmut; now since we are both long past our youth, I may, +perhaps, confess that I liked you then. You might have been able to +make something better of me than I am now. I was always a self-willed +child--not easy to rule; but I would have followed you--perhaps you +alone of all the world. When I went to the altar with Eschenhagen three +months after your marriage, matters were reversed. + +"I took the reins into my own hands and began to command, and since then +I have learned it thoroughly---- But now, away with that old story, +long since past. I have not thought hard of you because of it--you know +that. + +"We have remained friends in spite of it, and if you need me now, in +advice as well as deed, I am ready to help you." + +She offered her hand, which he grasped. + +"I know it, Regine, but I alone can advise here. Please send Hartmut to +me. I must speak to him." + +Frau von Eschenhagen arose and left the room, murmuring as she went: +"If only it is not too late already! She blinded and enraptured the +father once. She has probably secured her son now." + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + +Hartmut entered the room and closed the door behind him, but remained +standing near it. Falkenried turned toward him. + +"Come nearer, Hartmut; I must speak with you." + +The youth obeyed, drawing near slowly. + +He already knew that Willibald had had to confess; that his rendezvous +with his mother had been betrayed; but the awe with which he always +approached his father was mingled to-day with defiance, which was not +unnoticed by the Major. + +He scanned the youthful, handsome person of his son with a long, gloomy +glance. + +"My sudden arrival does not seem to surprise you," he began; "you +probably know what brought me here." + +"Yes, father, I surmise it." + +"Very well, we do not need then to continue with preliminaries. You +have learned that your mother is still living. She has approached you +and you are in communication with her. I know it already. When did you +see her for the first time?" + +"Five days ago." + +"And since then you have spoken with her daily?" + +"Yes, near the Burgsdorf pond." + +Question and reply alike sounded curt and calm. + +Hartmut was accustomed to this strict, military manner, even in his +private intercourse with his father, who never allowed a superfluous +word, a hesitation or evasion in the answers. This tone was kept up +even to-day to veil his painful excitement from the eyes of his son. +Hartmut saw only the grave, unmoved face; heard only the sound of cold +severity as the Major continued: + +"I will not make it a reproach to you, as I have never forbidden you +anything regarding it; the subject has never been mentioned between us. +But since matters have gone so far, I will have to break the silence. +You thought your mother dead, and I have silently allowed you to think +so, for I wished to save you from reminiscences which have poisoned my +life. I meant that your youth, at least, should be free from it. It +seems that it cannot be, so you may hear the truth." + +He paused for a moment. It was torture to the man, with his delicate +sense of honor, to talk on this subject before his son, but there was +no longer a choice--he must speak on. + +"I loved your mother passionately when a young officer, and married her +against the wish of my parents, who saw no good to result from a +marriage with a woman of foreign race. They were right, the marriage +was deeply unfortunate, and we finally separated at my desire. I had an +undeniable right to demand the separation, and also the possession of +my son, which was granted me unconditionally. I cannot tell you any +more, for I will not accuse the mother to the son; therefore let this +suffice you." + +Short and harsh as this explanation sounded, it yet made a strange +impression upon Hartmut. The father would not accuse the mother to him, +who had been hearing daily the most bitter accusation, abuse and +slander against the father. + +Zalika had put the whole blame of the separation upon her husband, upon +his unheard-of tyranny, and she found only too willing a listener in +the youth whose unruly nature suffered so intensely under that +severity. And yet those short, earnest words now weighed more than all +the passionate outbursts of the mother. Hartmut felt instinctively upon +which side the truth stood. + +"But now to the most important point," resumed Falkenried. "What has +been the subject of your conversation?" + +Hartmut had not expected this question, and a burning blush suffused +his face. He was silent and looked to the ground. + +"Ah, so! you do not dare to repeat it to me; but I request to know it. +Answer, I command you!" + +But Hartmut remained silent; he only closed his lips more firmly, and +his eyes met his father's with dark defiance. + +Falkenried now drew nearer. + +"You will not speak? Has a command from that side, perhaps, made you +silent? Never mind, your silence says more than words. I see how much +estranged from me you have become, and you would become lost entirely +to me if I should leave you longer under that influence. These meetings +with your mother must be ended. I forbid them. You will accompany me +home to-day and remain under my supervision. Whether it seems cruel to +you or not, it must be so, and you will obey." + +But the Major was mistaken when he thought to bow his son to his will +by a simple command. + +Hartmut had been in a school during these last days where defiance +against the father had been taught him in the most effectual manner. + +"Father, you will not--you cannot command that," he burst forth now +with overpowering vehemence. "It is my mother who is found again; the +only one in the whole world who loves me. I shall not let her be taken +from me again as she has already been taken. I shall not allow myself +to be forced to hate her because you hate her. Threaten--punish me do +whatever you will with me, but I do not obey this time. I will not +obey." + +The whole unruly, passionate nature of the young man was in these +words; the uncanny fire flamed again in his eyes; the hands were +clenched; every fibre throbbed in wild rebellion. He was apparently +decided to do battle against the long-feared father. + +But the burst of anger which he so confidently expected did not come. +Falkenried only looked at him silently, but with a glance of grave, +deep reproach. + +"The only one in the whole world who loves you!" he repeated slowly. +"You have, perhaps, forgotten that you still have a father." + +"Who does not love me, though," cried Hartmut in overwhelming +bitterness. "Only since I have found my mother have I known what love +is." + +"Hartmut!" + +The youth looked up, startled by the strange, pained tone which he +heard for the first time, and the defiance which was about to break +forth again died on his lips. + +"Because I have no pet names and caresses for you; because I have +raised you with seriousness and firmness, do you doubt my love?" said +Falkenried, still in the same voice. "Do you know what this severity +toward my only, my beloved child has cost me?" + +"Father!" + +The word sounded still timid and hesitating, but no longer with the old +fear and awe; it now contained something like budding faith and trust; +like a happy but half-comprehended surprise, and with it Hartmut's eyes +hung as if riveted upon his father's features. Falkenried now put his +hand upon his son's arm, drawing him nearer, while he continued: + +"I once had high ambitions, proud hopes of life, great plans and +aspirations, which came to an end when a blow fell upon me from which I +shall never be able to rally. If I still aspire and struggle, it is +from a sense of duty and because of you, Hartmut. In you centers all my +ambition; to make your future great and happy is the only thing which I +yet desire of life; and your future can be made great, my son, for your +gifts are extraordinary ones; your will is strong in good as well as +evil. But there is yet something dangerous in your nature, which is +less your fault than your doom, and which must be taken in hand in +time, if it is not to develop and dash you into destruction. I had to +be severe to banish this unfortunate tendency; it has not been easy for +me." + +The face of the youth was covered by a deep blush. With panting breath +he seemed to read every word from his father's lips, and now he said in +a whisper, in which the suppressed joy could scarcely be hidden: + +"I have not dared to love you so far. You have always been so cold--so +unapproachable, and I----" + +He broke off and glanced up at his father, who now put his arm around +Hartmut's shoulders, drawing him still closer to him. Then eyes looked +deep into eyes, and the voice of the iron man broke as he said, lowly: + +"You are my only child, Hartmut, the only thing which has remained to +me from a dream of happiness that dispersed in bitterness and +disappointment. I lost much at that time and have borne it; but if I +should lose you--you--I could not bear it." + +His arms closed around his son tightly, as if they could never be +detached. Hartmut had thrown himself sobbing upon his father's breast, +and father and son held each other in a long, passionate embrace. + +Both had forgotten that a shadow from the past still stood +threateningly and separatingly between them. + + * * * * * + +In the meantime, Frau von Eschenhagen, in her dining-room, was giving +Willy a curtain lecture. She had done so, in fact, this morning, but +was of the opinion that a double portion would not come amiss in this +case. The young heir looked completely crushed. He felt himself in the +wrong, as well toward his mother as toward his friend, and yet he was +quite blameless. He allowed himself to be lectured patiently, like an +obedient son, only throwing an occasional sad look over at the supper +which already stood upon the table, although his mother did not take +any notice of it at all. + +"This is what comes of having secrets behind the backs of parents," she +said severely, concluding her lecture. + +"Hartmut is getting what he deserves in yonder; the Major will not +treat him very mildly. I think you will let playing helpmate in such, a +plot alone in the future." + +"But I have not helped in it," Willy defended himself. "I had only +promised to be silent and I had to keep my word." + +"You ought not dare to keep silence to your mother; she is always an +exception," Frau Regine said decidedly. + +"Yes, mamma, Hartmut probably thought so, too, when it concerned his +mother," remarked Willibald, and the remark was so correct that she +could not well say anything against it; but that angered her the more. + +"That is different--entirely different," she said curtly; but the young +lord asked persistently: + +"Why is it entirely different?" + +"Boy, you will kill me yet with your questions and talking," cried his +mother angrily. "That is an affair which you do not and shall not +understand. It is bad enough that Hartmut has brought you in connection +with it at all. Now do you keep quiet, and do not concern yourself +further about it. Do you hear?" + +Willy was dutifully silent. It was perhaps the first time in his life +that he had been reproved for too much talking; besides, his Uncle +Wallmoden, who had just returned from a drive, entered now. + +"Falkenried has already arrived, I hear," he said, approaching his +sister. + +"Yes," she replied. "He came immediately upon receiving my letter." + +"And how has he borne the news?" + +"Outwardly very calm, but I saw only too well how it rent his +heartstrings. He is alone now with Hartmut, and the storm will probably +burst." + +"I am sorry; but I prophesied this turn of affairs when I learned of +Zalika's return. He ought to have spoken then to Hartmut. Now I fear he +will but add a second mistake to the first one by trying to accomplish +a separation by force and dictating. This unfortunate obstinacy which +knows only 'either--or'! It is least of all in the right place here." + +"Yes, the meeting yonder lasts too long for me," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with concern. "I shall go and see how far the two have +gotten, whether it offends the Major or not. Remain here, Herbert; I +shall return directly." + +She left the room, which Wallmoden paced disconsolately. His nephew sat +alone at the supper table, about which nobody seemed to think. He did +not dare to begin eating by himself, for a regular turmoil reigned +to-day in Burgsdorf, and the Frau Mamma was in a very ungracious mood. +But fortunately she returned after a few minutes, and her face was +beaming with satisfaction. + +"The affair is settled in the best way," she said in her short and +decided tone. "He has the boy in his embrace. Hartmut is hanging upon +his father's neck, and the rest will arrange itself easily now. God be +praised! And now you may eat your supper, Willy. The confusion which +has disturbed our whole household has come to an end." + +Willy did not allow himself to be told twice, but made brisk use of the +coveted permission. But Wallmoden shook his head and muttered: "If it +were only truly at an end!" + + + + + CHAPTER VI. + + +Neither Falkenried nor his son had noticed that the door had been +quietly opened and closed again. Hartmut still clung to his father's +neck. He seemed to have lost in a moment all awe and reserve, and was +overwhelmingly lovable in his new-found, stormy caresses, the charm of +which the Major had rightly feared would disarm him. He spoke but +little, but again and again he pressed his lips upon the brow of his +son, looking steadily into the beautiful face, full of life, which +pressed so close to his own. + +Finally Hartmut asked in a low voice: "And--my mother?" + +A shadow passed again over Falkenried's brow, but he did not release +his son from his arms. + +"Your mother will leave Germany as soon as she is convinced that she +must in the future, as in the past, stay away from you," he said, this +time without harshness, but with decision. "You may write to her. I +will allow a correspondence with certain restrictions, but I cannot--I +dare not permit a personal intercourse." + +"Father, think----" + +"I cannot, Hartmut; it is impossible." + +"Do you hate her, then, so very much?" asked the youth reproachfully. +"You wished the separation--not my mother--I know it from herself." + +Falkenried's lips quivered. He was about to speak the bitter words and +tell his son that the separation had been at the command of honor; but +he looked again in those dark, inquiring eyes, and the words died +unspoken. He could not accuse the mother to the son. + +"Let that question rest," he replied gloomily; "I cannot answer it to +you. Perhaps you will learn my reasons later and will understand them. +I cannot spare you the hard choice now. You can belong only to one--the +other you must shun. Accept it as a doom." + +Hartmut bowed his head; he might have felt that nothing further could +be gained. That the meetings with his mother had to end when he +returned to the strict discipline of the school, he knew; but now a +correspondence was permitted, which was more than he had dared to hope +for. + +"Then I will tell mamma so," he said in a crestfallen way. "Now, since +you know everything, I may see her openly, may I not?" + +The Major started; he had not considered this possibility. + +"When were you to see her again?" he asked. + +"To-day, at this hour, at the Burgsdorf pond. She is surely awaiting me +there now." + +Falkenried seemed to battle with himself. A warning voice arose in him +not to allow this leave-taking, yet he felt that to refuse would be +cruel. + +"Will you be back in two hours?" he asked finally. + +"Certainly, father; even earlier if you desire it." + +"Go, then," said the Major, with a deep breath. One could hear how +reluctant was the permission which his sense of duty forced from him. +"We shall drive home as soon as you return. Your vacation ends shortly, +anyway." + +Hartmut, who was just about to leave, came to a standstill. The words +recalled to him what he had entirely forgotten in the last half hour: +the discipline and severity of the service which was awaiting him. +Heretofore he had not dared to betray his aversion to it openly, but +this hour which banished the awe of his father broke also the seal from +his lips. Obeying a sudden impulse, he turned and put his arms again +around the neck of his father. + +"I have a request," he whispered, "a great, great request which you +must grant me; and I know you will do it as a proof that you love me." + +A furrow appeared between the Major's eyebrows as he asked with slight +reproach: "Do you require proofs of it? Well, let's hear it." + +Hartmut nestled still more closely to him; his voice had again that +sweet, coaxing sound which made his prayers so irresistible, and the +dark eyes implored intensely, beseechingly. + +"Do not let me become a soldier, father. I do not love the calling for +which you have decided me. I shall never learn to love it. If I have +bowed until now to your will, it has been with aversion, with secret +grumbling, and I have been unbearably unhappy, only I did not dare to +confess it to you." + +The furrow on Falkenried's brow sank deeper, and he released his son +slowly from his embrace. + +"That means, in other words, that you do not like to obey," he said +harshly, "and just that is more important to you than to any one else." + +"But I cannot bear any compulsion," Hartmut burst forth passionately, +"and the military service is nothing but duty and fetters. To obey +always and eternally--never to have a will of your own--to bow day +after day to an iron discipline and strict, cold forms by which every +individual movement is suppressed. I cannot bear it any longer. +Everything in me demands freedom for light and life. Let me go, father; +do not keep me any longer in these bonds. I die--I suffocate under +them." + +To a man, who was heart and soul a soldier, he could not have done his +cause greater harm than by these imprudent words. It sounded like a +stormy, glowing prayer. His arm yet lay around his father's neck, but +Falkenried now straightened himself suddenly and pushed him back. + +"I should consider the service an honor and no fetter," he said +cuttingly. "It is sad that I should have to recall that to my son's +mind. Freedom--light--life! You think perhaps that one can throw +himself at seventeen years into life and grasp all its treasures. The +longed-for freedom for you would be only recklessness, ruin, +destruction." + +"And what if it should be so!" cried Hartmut, totally beside himself. +"Better go to ruin in freedom than to live in this depression. To me it +is a chain--a fetter--slavery----" + +"Be silent! not a word further," commanded Falkenried so threateningly +that the youth grew silent despite his awful excitement. "You have no +choice, and take care that you do not forget your duty. You must become +an officer and fulfill your duty completely as does every one of your +comrades. When you are of age, I no longer have any power to hinder +you. You may then resign, even if it give me my deathblow to see my +only son flee the service." + +"Father, do you consider me a coward?" Hartmut burst forth. "I could +stand a war--I could fight----" + +"You would fight foolhardily and rush blindly into every danger; and +with this obstinacy which knows no discipline you would destroy +yourself and your men. I know this wild, boundless desire for freedom +and life to which no barrier, no duty is sacred. I know from whom you +have inherited it and where it will finally lead; therefore I keep you +securely in the 'fetters,' no matter whether you hate it or not. You +shall learn to obey and to bow your will while yet there is time; and +you shall learn it. I pledge my word to that." + +Again the old, inflexible harshness sounded in his voice; every line of +tenderness, of softness, had disappeared, and Hartmut knew his father +too well to continue supplication or defiance. He did not answer a +syllable, but his eyes glowed again with that demoniac spark which +robbed him of all his beauty; and around his lips, which were pressed +closely together, there settled a strange, bad expression as he now +turned to go. + +The Major's eyes followed him. Again the warning voice came to him like +a presentiment of evil, and he called his son back. + +"Hartmut, you are sure to be back in time? You give me your word?" + +"Yes, father." The answer sounded grim, but firm. + +"Very well. I shall trust you as a man. I let you go in peace with this +promise which you have given me. Be punctual." + +Hartmut had been gone but a few moments when Wallmoden entered. + +"Are you alone?" he asked, somewhat surprised. "I did not wish to +disturb you, but I saw Hartmut hasten through the garden just now. +Where was he going so late?" + +"To his mother, to take leave of her." + +The Secretary started at this news. "With your consent?" he asked +quickly. + +"Certainly, I have permitted him to go." + +"How imprudent! I should think that you knew now how Zalika manages to +get her own way, and yet you leave your son to her mercy." + +"For only half an hour to say farewell. I could not refuse that. What +do you fear? Surely no force. Hartmut is no longer a child to be borne +into a carriage and carried off in spite of his resistance." + +"But if he should not refuse a flight?" + +"I have his word that he will return in two hours," said the Major with +emphasis. + +"The word of a seventeen-year-old lad!" + +"Who has been raised a soldier and who knows the importance of a word +of honor. That gives me no care; my fear lies in another direction." + +"Regine told me that you were reconciled," remarked Wallmoden, with a +glance upon the still clouded brow of his friend. + +"For a few moments only; after that I had to become again the firm, +severe father. This hour has showed me how hard the task is to bend, to +educate this roving nature. Nevertheless I shall conquer him." + +The Secretary approached the window and looked out in the garden. + +"It is twilight already, and the Burgsdorf pond is half an hour's +distance," he said, half aloud. "You ought to have allowed the +rendezvous only in your presence, if it had to take place." + +"And see Zalika again? Impossible! I could not and would not do that." + +"But if the leave-taking end differently from what you expect--if +Hartmut does not return?" + +"Then he would be a scoundrel to break his word!" burst out Falkenried; +"a deserter, for he carries the sword already at his side. Do not +offend me with such thoughts, Herbert; it is my son of whom you speak." + +"He is also Zalika's son; but do not let us quarrel about that now. +They await you in the dining room. And you will really leave us +to-day?" + +"Yes, in two hours," the Major said, calmly and firmly. "Hartmut will +have returned by that time. My word stands for that." + + + + + CHAPTER VII. + + +The gray shadows of twilight were gathering in forest and field, +becoming closer and denser with every moment. The short, foggy autumn +day drew near its close. Through the heavy-clouded sky the night +lowered sooner than usual. + +A female figure paced impatiently and restlessly up and down the bank +of the Burgsdorf pond. She had drawn the dark cloak tightly around her +shoulders, but was unmindful of her shivering, caused by the cold +evening air. Her whole manner was feverish expectation and intense +listening for the sound of a step which could not as yet be heard. + +Zalika had arranged the meetings with her son for a later hour, when it +was desolate and dim in the forest, since the day Willibald had +surprised them and had to be admitted into the secret. They had parted, +however, before dark, so that Hartmut's late return should not cause +suspicion at Burgsdorf. He had always been punctual, but now his mother +had waited in vain for an hour. + +Did a trifle detain him, or was the secret betrayed? One had to expect +that, since a third party knew it. + +Deathlike silence reigned in the forest; the dry leaves alone rustled +beneath the hem of the gown of the restlessly moving woman. + +Night shades already lingered under the tree-tops; a cloud of mist +floated over the pond where it was lighter and more open; and over +there where the water was bordered by a marsh, whitish-gray veils of +mist arose yet more thickly. The wind blew damp and cold from over +there, like the air of a vault. A light footstep finally sounded at a +distance, coming nearer in the direction of the pond with flying haste. +Now a slender figure appeared, scarcely recognizable in the gathering +dusk. Zalika flew toward him, and in the next moment her son was in her +arms. + +"What has happened?" she demanded, amidst the usual stormy caresses. +"Why do you come so late? I had given up in despair seeing you to-day. +What kept you back?" + +"I could not come any sooner," panted Hartmut, still breathless from +his rapid run. "I come from my father." + +Zalika started. + +"From your father? Then he knows----" + +"Everything." + +"So he is at Burgsdorf? Since when? Who notified him?" + +The young man, with fluttering breath, reported what had happened, but +he had not finished when the bitter laugh of his mother interrupted +him. + +"Naturally they are all in the plot when it concerns the tearing of my +child from me. And your father, he has probably threatened and punished +and made you suffer for the heavy crime of having been in the arms of +your mother?" + +Hartmut shook his head. + +The remembrance of that moment when his father drew him to his breast +stood firm, in spite of the bitterness with which that scene had ended. + +"No," he said in a low voice; "but he commanded me not to see you +again, and requested irrevocable separation from you." + +"And yet you are here? Oh, I knew it!" + +The exclamation was full of joyous victory. + +"Do not triumph too soon, mamma," said the youth bitterly. "I came only +to say farewell." + +"Hartmut!" + +"Father knows it. He allowed me this meeting, and then----" + +"Then he will grasp you again, and you will be lost to me forever, is +it not so?" + +Hartmut did not answer; he folded his mother in his arms, and a wild, +passionate sob, which had in it as much of anger as pain, escaped his +breast. + +It had now grown quite dark; the night had commenced; a cold, gloomy +autumn night, without moon or star shining, but over there upon the +marsh where lately the veils of mist floated, something now shot up +with a bluish light, glimmering dimly in the fog, but growing brighter +and clearer like a flame; now appearing, now disappearing, and with it +a second and a third. The will-o'-the-wisp had commenced its ghostly, +uncanny play. + +"You weep," cried Zalika, pressing her son closely to her; "but I have +seen it coming long ago, and if your Eschenhagen had not betrayed us, +the day you had to return to your father would have brought your forced +choice between separation or--decision." + +"What decision? What do you mean?" asked Hartmut, perplexed. + +Zalika bent over him, and, although they were alone, her voice sank to +a whisper. + +"Will you bow feebly and defenselessly to a tyranny which tears asunder +the sacred bond between mother and child, and which stamps under foot +our rights as well as our love? If you can do that, you are not my son; +you have inherited nothing of the blood that flows in my veins. He sent +you to bid me farewell, and you accept it patiently as a last favor. +Have you really come to take leave of me, perhaps for years? Actually, +have you?" + +"I have to," interrupted the youth despairingly. "You know father and +his iron will. Is there any possibility of anything else?" + +"If you return to him, no. But who forces you?" + +"Mamma, for God's sake!" shrieked Hartmut, terrified. But the +encircling arms did not release him, and the hot, passionate whisper +again reached his ear: + +"What frightens you so at the thought? You will only go with your +mother, who loves you devotedly, and who will henceforth live for you +alone. You have told me repeatedly that you hate the vocation which is +forced upon you, that you languish with longing for freedom. There is +no choice there for you; when you return your father will keep you +irrevocably in the fetters. If he knew that you would die of them, he +would not let you free." + +She had no need to tell that to her son; he knew it better than she +did. Only an hour ago he had seen the full inflexibility of his father, +his hard "You shall learn to obey and bow your will." + +His voice was almost smothered in bitterness as he answered: +"Nevertheless, I must return. I have given my word to be back at +Burgsdorf in two hours." + +"Really," said Zalika, sharply and sarcastically; "I thought so. +Usually you are nothing but a boy, whose every step is prescribed; +whose every moment counted out; who ought not even to have his own +thoughts; but as soon as the retaining of you is concerned, you are +given the independence of a man. Very well; now show that you are not +only grown in words, but that you can also act like a man. A forced +promise has no value. Tear asunder this invincible chain with which +they want to bind you and make yourself free." + +"No--no," murmured Hartmut, with a renewed attempt to free himself. But +he did not succeed. He only turned his face and looked with fixed eyes +out into the night, into the desolate, silent forest darkness and over +yonder where the will-o'-the-wisp still carried on its ghostly dance. + +Those quivering, tremulous flames appeared now everywhere; seeming +to seek and flee from each other, they floated over the ground, +disappearing or dissolving in the ocean of fog, only to reappear +again and again. There was something ghastly yet fascinating in this +spectre-like play; the demoniac charm of the depths which that +treacherous mire concealed. + +"Come with me, my Hartmut," implored Zalika, now in those sweet, +coaxing tones which were so effectively at hers as well as at her son's +command. "I have foreseen everything and prepared for it. I knew that a +day like this had to come. My carriage awaits me half an hour's +distance from here. It will take us to the next station, and before +anybody at Burgsdorf thinks you will not return, the train will have +carried us into the far country. There are freedom, light and +happiness. I will lead you out into the great distant world, and after +you know that, you will breathe with relief and shout like a redeemed +man. I myself know how one released feels. I too have borne that chain +which I riveted myself in foolish error, but I would have broken it in +the first year but for you. Oh, it is sweet, this freedom. You will +feel it, too." + +She knew only too well how to succeed. Freedom, life, light! These +words found a thousand-fold echo in the heart of the young man, whose +passionate thirst for freedom had been so far suppressed. This promised +life shone with a magic splendor like a beacon before him. He needed +only to stretch forth his hand and it was his. + +"My promise," he murmured with a last attempt to gather strength. +"Father will look at me with contempt if----" + +"If you have reached a great, proud future?" Zalika interrupted him +passionately. "Then you can go before him and ask if he dares consider +you with contempt. He would keep you upon the ground while you have +wings which will carry you high up. He does not understand a nature +like yours; he will never learn to understand it. Will you languish and +go to ruin for only a word's sake? Go with me, my Hartmut--with me, to +whom you are all in all--out into freedom." + +She drew him along, slowly but irresistibly. He still resisted, but did +not tear himself away; and amidst the prayers and caresses of his +mother this resistance slowly gave way--he followed. + +A few moments later the pond lay wholly deserted; mother and son had +disappeared; the sound of their steps died away. Night and silence +brooded alone. Only over yonder in the fog of the marsh fluttered that +noiseless spectral life. It floated and vanished, rose and sank again +in restless play--the mysterious sign of flame. + + + + + + PART II. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + +The warm, golden light of a clear September day lay over the green +ocean of forest, which stretched as far as the eye could reach. These +immense forests had covered this part of Southern Germany for countless +years; trees one hundred years old were no rarity among them. The whole +bore the character of a mountainous forest, for hills and dales +succeeded one another. + +While the railroads spun their web all around the country, drawing one +place after another within their grasp, this "Wald," as these miles and +miles of wooded land were briefly called by the people, lay still and +deserted, like a green island, almost untouched by the life and strife +around. + +Here and there a village rose from the forest green, or an old castle, +almost in ruins, gray and dilapidated. There was one exception to it, +in a powerful, old, gray edifice which stood upon a height and +overlooked the whole vicinity. This was "Furstenstein," once the +hunting lodge of the sovereign, but at present the habitation of the +Chief of all the foresters. + +The castle dated from the beginning of the last century and had been +built with all the waste of space of that epoch when the hunting lodge +of the Prince had to accommodate for weeks the whole court suite. + +Furstenstein was only partly visible at a distance, for the forest +covered all the castle mount, the gray walls, the steeples and bow +windows lifting themselves from among the crown of green firs. The size +of the old structure was only apparent when one stood before the +entrance portal, for many additions belonging to later times were +attached to it. It was to be understood that decay here was carefully +kept back, for the numerous rooms of the upper floors were kept in +readiness for the commands of the Prince, who came here occasionally in +the fall. + +The similarly extensive lower floor was given to the chief of the +forest department, Herr von Schonan, who had lived here for years, and +who knew how to make the loneliness agreeable by keeping a very +hospitable house and by frequent sociable visitings in the +neighborhood. + +He was entertaining guests at present. His sister-in-law, Frau Regine +von Eschenhagen, had arrived yesterday, and her son was also expected. + +The two daughters of the house of Wallmoden had made very desirable +matches, the elder one marrying the lord of the Burgsdorf estates and +the younger one Herr von Schonan, who belonged to a wealthy South +German family. In spite of the distance separating them, the sisters +and their families had remained in intimate association, and even after +the death of the younger one, which had occurred several years +previously, these family connections were continued. + +This friendship, however, had a quality of its own, for Herr von +Schonan was always on the war-path with his sister-in-law. As both +natures were terse and inconsiderate they came to a tussle at every +opportunity, made up regularly, deciding to keep the peace in future, +but the promise was broken just as regularly. A new difference of +opinion would come up in the next hour, the dispute would be carried on +with fullest passion, until it again raged with undiminished power. + +Just at present a very unusual harmony seemed to prevail between the +two, who sat upon the terrace before the entrance room. + +The Chief Forester, who in spite of his advanced years, was still a +very stately man, with strong, sunburned features and slightly gray but +thick hair and beard, was leaning comfortably back in his chair, +listening to his sister-in-law, who, as usual, was monopolizing the +conversation. + +Frau Regine was now near her fiftieth year, but had scarcely changed in +the last decade. The years could not make much impression upon her +strong physique; a little wrinkle perhaps here and there in the face, a +few silver threads mingled with the dark hair; but the gray eyes had +lost none of their keen clearness; the voice was as full and steady, +the carriage just as energetic as formerly. It was very evident that +the lady bore the sceptre in her domain now as before. + +"As I said, Willy will be here in a week," she was saying. "He had not +quite finished with his harvest work, but it will soon end, and then he +will be ready for the betrothal. The affair has long been settled +between us, but I decidedly advocated the delay, for a young girl of +sixteen or seventeen years has all sorts of childish tricks still in +her head, and cannot preside well over an orderly household. But +Antonie is now twenty years old and Willy twenty-seven; this suits +exactly. You are satisfied, are you not, brother, that we now arrange +the betrothal of our children?" + +"Quite satisfied," affirmed the Chief Forester; "and we are of the same +opinion in all else concerning it. Half of my money will fall to my son +after my death, the other half to my daughter, and you can also be at +rest about the dower which I have set apart for the wedding." + +"Yes, you have not been stingy about it. As to Willy, you know he has +had possession of the Burgsdorf estates for three years. The money, +according to the will, remains in my hands. After my death it will, of +course, fall to him. The young couple will not be in need. Sufficient +care has been taken for that; therefore all is decided." + +"Yes, decided. We will celebrate the betrothal now and the wedding in +the spring." + +The thus far clear sky was darkened now by the first cloud. Frau von +Eschenhagen shook her head and said dictatorially: + +"That will not do, the wedding must occur in the winter, for Willy will +not have time to marry in the spring." + +"Nonsense! One always has time to marry," declared Schonan, just as +dictatorially. + +"Not in the country," persisted Frau Regine; "there the motto is, first +work and then pleasure. It has always been so with us, and Willy has +learned it, too." + +"But I emphatically beg that he will make an exception in the case of +his young wife, otherwise the deuce may take him!" cried the Chief +angrily. "Besides, you know my conditions, Regine. My girl has not seen +your son for two years; if he does not please her, she shall have a +free choice." + +He had attacked his sister-in-law in a most sensitive spot. She +straightened herself to her fullest height in her offended motherly +pride. + +"My dear Moritz, I credit your daughter with some taste at least. +Besides, I believe in the old custom of parents choosing for their +children. It was so in our time and we have fared well with it. What do +young people know of such important things? But you have always allowed +your children their own way too much. One can see there is no mother in +the house." + +"Is that my fault?" demanded Schonan, angrily. "Should I have given +them a stepmother? In fact, I wished to once, but you would not consent +to it, Regine." + +"No, I had enough of marriage with one trial," was the dry answer, +which roused the Forester still more. He shrugged his shoulders +sarcastically. + +"Why, I shouldn't think that you could possibly complain of the late +Eschenhagen. He and all his Burgsdorf danced entirely after your +piping. Of course, you would not have gotten the upper hand of me so +easily." + +"But I should have had it in a month," remarked Frau Regine with +perfect composure, "and I should have taken you under my command first +of all, Moritz." + +"What! you tell me this to my face? Shall we try it, then?" shouted +Schonan in a passion. + +"Thank you, I shall not marry a second time. Do not trouble yourself." + +"I have not the slightest idea of it. I had enough of it with that one +jilting; you do not need to do it a second time"; with which the Chief +Forester pushed back his chair angrily and left. + +Frau von Eschenhagen remained quietly seated. After awhile she called +in a quite friendly manner: "Moritz!" + +"What is it?" sounded crossly from the other side of the terrace. + +"When is Herbert to come with his young wife?" + +"At twelve o'clock," came the curt reply. + +"I am glad of that. I have not seen him since he was sent to your +capitol, but I have always said that Herbert was the pride of our +family, whom one could parade anywhere. He is now Prussian Ambassador +to His Excellency at your court." + +"And a young husband of fifty-six years, besides," said Herr von +Schonan scornfully. + +"Yes, he took his time to marry, but then he has made a splendid match +for all that. It was surely no little thing for a man of his years to +win a wife like Adelaide, young, beautiful, rich----" + +"And of burgher descent," interrupted Schonan. + +"Nonsense! Who asks nowadays after a pedigree when a million is +involved. Herbert can make use of it. He has had to get along with +small means all of his life, and the position of ambassador will +require more display than the salary will admit of. And my brother does +not need to be ashamed of his father-in-law, for Stahlberg is one of +our first industry men and a man of honor from tip to toe, besides. It +was a pity that he died after the marriage of his daughter, for she has +surely made a sensible choice." + +"Pouf! You call it a sensible choice when a girl of eighteen takes a +husband who could be her father?" cried the Chief, drawing near in the +heat of the controversy. "Of course when one becomes a baroness and the +wife of the Prussian Ambassador, one plays a big role in society. This +beautiful, cool Adelaide, with her 'sensible' ideas which would do +credit to a grandmother, is not congenial to me at all. A sensible girl +who falls heels over head in love and declares to her parents, 'This +one or none at all,' is much more to my taste." + +"Well, these are beautiful ideas for a father!" cried Frau von +Eschenhagen indignantly. "It is exceedingly fortunate that Toni has +taken after my sister and not after you, for otherwise you might live +to see the like in her. Stahlberg raised his daughter better. I know +from himself that she obeyed his wish when she gave her hand to +Herbert, and so, of course, it is all right and as it should be. But +you do not understand anything about educating children." + +"What! I, a man and a father, not understand the bringing up of +children?" shouted Schonan, cherry-red with vexation. + +The two were in the best possible condition to fly at each other again, +but fortunately they were interrupted this time, for a young girl, the +daughter of the house, stepped out on the terrace. + +Antonie von Schonan could not be called exactly pretty, but she had a +stately figure like her father and a fresh, blooming face, with light +brown eyes. Her brown hair was folded in simple plaits around her head +and her dress, although suitable to her position, was also plain. But +Antonie was in those years when youth displaced every other charm, and +as she drew near, fresh, healthy, stately in her whole appearance, she +was exactly the daughter-in-law after Frau von Eschenhagen's own heart, +and she nodded in a friendly way to her. + +"Father, the carriage is returning from the station," said the young +lady in a very deliberate, somewhat drawling tone. "It is already at +the foot of the castle mount. Uncle Wallmoden will be here in fifteen +minutes." + +"What, tausend! They have driven like lightning!" exclaimed the Chief +Forester, whose face brightened at the news. "Are the rooms all in +order?" + +Toni nodded as calmly as if that were a self-evident fact. As her +father started off to look for the carriage which was to bring his +guests, Frau von Eschenhagen said with a glance at the little basket +which the young girl carried: "Well Toni, you have been busy again?" + +"I have been in the kitchen garden, dear aunt. The gardener insisted +that there were no pears ripe as yet, but I looked for myself and +gathered a basketful." + +"That is right, my child," said her future mother-in-law, highly +satisfied. "One must have her eyes and hands everywhere, and never rely +upon servants. You will some day be a splendid housekeeper. But now let +us go. We will also meet the uncle." + + + + + CHAPTER IX. + + +Herr von Schonan was already in advance and just descending the wide +stone steps which led to the castle court, when a man emerged from one +of the side buildings and came to a standstill, bowing his greeting +respectfully. + +"Hallo, Stadinger; what are you doing at Furstenstein?" cried the Chief +Forester. "Come up here." + +The man obeyed the command. He walked actively with firm, erect +carriage, in spite of his snow-white hair, and a pair of keen, dark +eyes shone from his tanned face. + +"I have been with the Herr Steward, Herr Oberforstmeister," he replied, +"to ask if he could not let me have a few of his people to help me, for +everything is topsy-turvy with us at Rodeck just now. We have not hands +enough for the work." + +"Ah, yes; Prince Egon has returned from his travels in the Orient; I +heard of it," said Schonan. "But how does it happen that he comes to +Rodeck this time, this small forest nook which offers neither room nor +comforts?" + +"Heaven alone knows that; one never dares ask why with our young +Highness. The news came one morning, and the castle had to be put in +order, good or bad. I have had pains and worry enough to get ready in +two days." + +"I believe that. Rodeck has not been inhabited for years, but now there +will be life once more in the old walls." + +"But the old walls will be stood on their head with it all," grumbled +the castle keeper. "If you only knew how it looks there, Herr +Oberforstmeister. The whole hunting hall is packed full of lion and +tiger skins and all manner of mounted animals, and the live parrots and +monkeys sit about in every room. There is such a noise and making of +faces that one cannot hear a word at times; and now His Highness has +announced to me, besides, that a whole herd of elephants and a large +sea serpent are on their way here. I think apoplexy will overtake me." + +"What is on the way here?" demanded Schonan, who could not believe his +ears. + +"A sea serpent and a dozen elephants. I have remonstrated with might +and main. 'Your Highness,' I have said, 'we cannot house any more of +the beasts, particularly not the sea serpent, for such a beast needs +water, and we have no pond at Rodeck. As to the elephants--well, we +will just have to tie them to the trees in the forest. If we cannot do +that, I do not know what to do.' 'Good,' says His Highness, 'we will tie +them to the trees, it will be a picturesque sight; and we will send the +sea serpent to board at Furstenstein. That pond is large enough.' I beg +of you, Herr Oberforstmeister, he will populate the whole neighborhood +with those awful beasts." + +The Chief Forester laughed aloud and patted the shoulder of the old +man, who seemed to enjoy his special favor. + +"But, Stadinger, did you really take that in earnest? Don't you know +your Prince? It seems that he has not become more settled by his +absence." + +"No, really not," sighed Stadinger, "and what His Highness does not +know, Herr Rojanow will surely find out. He makes it ten times worse. +Oh, dreadful that such a madcap should fall to our lot!" + +"Rojanow? Who is that?" asked Schonan, becoming attentive. + +"Yes, that is what nobody knows exactly, but he is everything with us +since His Highness cannot live without him. He found this friend +somewhere back there in the heathen lands. The friend himself may be +half a heathen or a Turk; he looks just like it, with his dark hair and +his fiery eyes, and he knows how to command from the very bottom. He +sometimes drives all the servants helter-skelter with his orders and +actions, as if he was lord and master of Rodeck. But he is handsome as +a picture--almost more so than our Prince, who has given strict orders +that his friend has to be obeyed like himself." + +"Probably some adventurer who takes advantage of the Prince. I can +imagine that," muttered Schonan, continuing aloud: "Well, may God help +you, Stadinger! I must go now to meet my brother-in-law. Do not let any +gray hairs grow on account of the sea-serpent. If His Highness +threatens you with it again, just tell him I would offer the +Furstenstein pond with pleasure, but I must see it alive before me +first." + +He nodded laughingly at the old man, who looked much comforted, and +walked toward the entrance portal. + +Frau von Eschenhagen and her niece had also appeared, and the carriage +now came in sight upon the broad forest road of the castle mount, +rolling, a few minutes later, into the castle court. + +Regine was the first to greet them. She shook her brother's hand so +heartily that he drew back with a slight shudder. The Chief Forester +remained in the background; he stood somewhat in awe of his diplomatic +brother-in-law, whose sarcasm he secretly feared; while Toni allowed +neither her uncle, His Excellency, nor his beautiful wife to rouse her +from her composed deliberation. + +The years had not passed Herbert von Wallmoden by as lightly as +they had his sister; he had aged considerably; his hair had turned +quite gray, and the sarcastic lines around his mouth had become +more pronounced; otherwise he was still the cool, aristocratic +diplomat--perhaps a few degrees cooler and more reticent than formerly. +The superiority which he had borne to his surroundings seemed to have +grown with the high position which he filled at present. + +The young wife at his side would probably have been taken by every +stranger for his daughter. He had truly shown good taste in his choice. + +Adelaide von Wallmoden was, indeed, beautiful, although of that +composed, serious beauty which usually aroused only calm admiration, +but she seemed equal in every respect to the high position in life +brought her by this marriage. + +The young wife, scarcely nineteen years old, and who had been married +but six months, showed perfect ease of manner--an unexceptional mastery +of all forms, as if she had lived for years beside her elderly husband. + +To his wife Wallmoden was politeness and attention personified. He now +offered his arm to lead her to her room, returning in a few minutes to +join his sister, who awaited him on the terrace. + +The attitude of these two to each other was in many respects a strange +one. The brother and sister were of the most pronounced opposites in +appearance as well as character, and usually of opinion as well; but +the blood relationship gave them, in spite of this difference, a +feeling of closest union. This was evident as they sat together now +after the long separation. + +Although Herbert was somewhat nervous during the conversation, for +Regine did not find it necessary to subdue her peculiar manner, causing +him embarrassment more than once with her inconsiderate questions and +remarks, he had long ago learned to consider that as unavoidable, and +surrendered himself to it now with a sigh. + +At first they spoke of the coming betrothal of Willibald and Toni, +which had Wallmoden's full approval. He thought the match very +suitable, and besides, every one in the family had been long acquainted +with it. + +But now Frau von Eschenhagen began an entirely different subject. +"Well, and how do you feel as a husband, Herbert?" she asked. "You have +certainly taken your time for it, but better late than never, and to +speak the truth, you have had extraordinarily good luck in spite of +your gray hair." + +The Ambassador did not seem very well pleased at this allusion to his +age. He pressed his thin lips together for a moment, and then replied +with some sharpness: "You should really be a little more careful in +your expressions, dear Regine. I know my age very well, but the +position in life which I brought my wife as a wedding gift should +counteract the difference of the years somewhat." + +"Well, I should think the dowry she brought you was not to be +slighted," remarked Regine, quite unconcerned as to the rebuke. "Have +you already presented her at court?" + +"Yes, two weeks ago, at the Summer Residenz. Mourning for my +father-in-law prevented it before. We shall have open house in the +winter as my position requires. I was most pleasantly surprised at +Adelaide's manner at court. She moved upon the strange ground with an +ease and composure which were truly admirable. I saw there again how +happy my choice was in every respect. But I wish to inquire after +several things at home. First of all, how is Falkenried?" + +"Surely you do not need to ask me that? Are you not in regular +correspondence with him?" + +"Yes, but his letters grow shorter and more monosyllabic. I wrote him +at length about my marriage, but received only a very laconic reply. +But you must see him frequently, since he has been called to the +position of Secretary of War. The city is near." + +"You are mistaken there. The Colonel shows himself very rarely at +Burgsdorf, and he is becoming more and more reticent and +unapproachable." + +"I am sorry to hear that; but he used always to make an exception of +you, and I hoped much from your influence since he is back in your +vicinity. Have you not tried, then, to renew the old intimacy?" + +"I did at first, but finally had to give it up, for I saw that it was +painful to him. Nothing can be done there, Herbert. Since that +unfortunate catastrophe which both of us lived through with him he has +changed into stone. You have seen him several times since then and know +the ruin that has worked there." + +Wallmoden's brow clouded and his voice was harsh as he returned: "Yes, +that scoundrel--that Hartmut lies heavy upon his heart, but more than +ten years have passed since then, and I hoped that Falkenried would +return to sociable life in time." + +"I have never had that hope; that blow went to the root of life. I +shall never forget that evening at Burgsdorf while I live. How we +waited and waited--first with restlessness and anxiety, then with +deadly fear. You guessed the truth directly, but I would not permit +myself to believe it--and Falkenried! I can see him yet as he stood at +the window, looking fixedly out into the night pale as a corpse, with +teeth tightly clenched, having for every fear expressed the one reply, +'He will come--he must come. I have his word for it.' And when, in +spite of all, Hartmut did not come--when the night wore on and we +finally learned upon inquiry at the railroad station that the two had +arrived there in a carriage and taken the express train--God in heaven! +How the man looked when he turned to leave, so mute and stiff! I made +you promise not to leave his side, for I believed that he would blow +his brains out." + +"You judged him wrongly," said Wallmoden decisively. "A man like +Falkenried considers it cowardice to lay hands on his life, even if +that life has become torture to him. He stands up even to a lost post. +Although what would have happened if they had let him go that time--I +do not dare to surmise." + +"Yes, I knew that he had asked for his dismissal, because to serve +after his son had become a deserter did not accord with his ideas of +honor. It was the step of despair." + +"Yes, truly; and it was fortunate that his chiefs would not dispense +with his military genius and force. The chief of the general's staff +took the affair in his own hands and brought it before the king. They +concluded finally to treat the whole unfortunate occurrence--at least +as far as it could concern the father--as the act of a heedless boy, +for which a highly deserving officer could not be held accountable. +Falkenried had to take back his request for resignation, was +transferred into a far-away garrison, and the affair silenced as much +as was possible. It is, indeed, buried and forgotten now after ten +years by all the world." + +"It is not forgotten by one," finished Regine. "My heart burns +sometimes when I think of what Falkenried was once, and what he is now. +The bitter experience of his marriage had made him rather serious and +unsocial, but occasionally the full charming amiability of his manner +would break through, warm and hearty, from his inmost heart--all that +is over. He knows now only the iron severity of duty--all else is dead. +Even the old friendly relations have become painful to him. One has to +let him go his own way." + +She broke off with a sigh, which betrayed how near to her heart was the +friend of her youth, and laying her hand upon the arm of her brother, +she continued: "Perhaps you are right, Herbert, in that one chooses +best and most sensibly in late years. You do not need to fear the fate +of Falkenried. Your wife comes from a good race. I knew Stahlberg well. +He had worked up to the heights of life with firmness and ability, and +even as a millionaire he remained the upright man of honor he had ever +been. Adelaide is the daughter of her father in every respect. You have +chosen well and you my heartfelt wishes for your happiness." + + + + + CHAPTER X. + + +Rodeck, the hunting lodge belonging to the possessions of the Prince of +Adelsberg, was about two hours' distance from Furstenstein, in the +midst of deepest forest loneliness. The small building, erected +without much taste, contained at the most about a dozen rooms, whose +old-fashioned and shabby furniture had been put in as good order as the +short notice of the coming of the Prince permitted. + +The little castle had not been inhabited for years and looked somewhat +dilapidated, but when one emerged from the deep, dark forest into the +opening, and beheld at the end of the wide green sward the old gray +edifice with its tall, spiked roof and four steeples at the corners, it +had truly something of the forest idyl about it. + +The Adelsbergs had once been a reigning family, but a family that had +long since lost its sovereignty. They had retained, however, the +princely title, an enormous fortune, and a very extensive property. The +once numerous family counted at present but few representatives; the +main branch only a single one--the Prince Egon, who, as lord of all the +family estates, besides being closely related to the reigning house +through his late mother, played an important role among the nobility of +the land. + +The young Prince had always been considered a rover, who at times +followed very eccentric notions and bothered himself very little about +princely etiquette when he wished to follow some momentary whim. The +old Prince had been very strict with his son, but his death made Egon +von Adelsberg the sole master of his own will very early in life. + +He had now returned from a tour in the Orient which had kept him in +foreign lands two years, but instead of occupying the princely palace +in town, or one of his other castles which were furnished with every +conceivable splendor for a summer or fall visit, he took a notion to go +to the old forest nook--the little half-forgotten Rodeck--which was not +prepared for the honor of receiving its master, and could offer but +scant accommodation. + +Old Stadinger was right: one must never ask Prince Egon why. Everything +depended entirely upon his momentary caprice. + +In the morning of a sunny autumn day, two gentlemen in hunting costume +stood upon the lawn at Rodeck talking with the castle-keeper, while a +light open carriage stood upon the gravel road, ready for departure. At +a casual glance the two young men bore a certain resemblance to each +other. They had tall, slender figures, deeply tanned faces, and eyes in +which glowed the whole fiery gayety and courage of youth, but upon +closer examination the wide difference between them was apparent. + +The Southern coloring of the younger one, who might, perhaps, be about +twenty-four years old, was caused, apparently, by a prolonged stay +under a hot sun, for the light, curly hair and blue eyes did not match +it--they betrayed the German. A light beard, curly like the hair, +framed a handsome, open face, which, however, did not follow any strict +line of beauty. The forehead was rather too low, but there was +something like bright sunshine in this face which charmed and won +everybody. + +His companion, several years his senior, had nothing of this sunny +quality, although his appearance was more imposing. Slender like the +younger one, he towered above him in height, and his dark complexion +was not caused by the sun alone. It was of that olive tint which allows +a pale face to still look fresh, and the blue-black hair which fell in +thick waves over the high brow made the apparent paleness more +noticeable. The face was beautiful, with its noble, proud lines so +firmly and energetically pronounced, but upon it appeared also deep +shadows lying over brow and eyes; such shadows as one seldom finds on +youthful features. + +The large, dark eyes, which had in their depths something gloomy, told +of hot, unruled passions. In their flashing there was something uncanny +but mysteriously attractive. One felt that they could charm with +demoniac power; in fact, the whole personality of the man possessed +this uncanny, entrancing charm. + +"But I cannot help you, Stadinger," said the younger of the two +gentlemen. "The newly arrived lot has to be unpacked and a place found +for them. Where? that is your affair." + +"But, Your Highness, if that is absolutely impossible?" argued the +castle-keeper, in a tone indicating that he stood in rather familiar +relations to his young master. "Not a nook is free any more in Rodeck. +I have had trouble enough already to house the servants which Your +Highness brought along, and now every day boxes large as houses arrive, +and always it is 'Unpack, Stadinger,' 'Find room, Stadinger,' and in +the meantime the rooms stand empty by the dozen in the other castles." + +"Do not grumble, old forest spirit, but find room," interrupted the +Prince. "The arrivals have to be put up here at Rodeck, at least for +the present, and if the worst comes you will have to give up your own +lodgings." + +"Yes, certainly; Stadinger has room enough in his lodgings," joined in +the second gentleman. "I shall arrange it myself and measure it all." + +"And Lena can help you with it," added the Prince, supporting the +proposal of his friend. "She is at home, is she not?" + +Stadinger measured the gentlemen from head to foot, then answered +drily: + +"No, Your Highness, Lena is away." + +"Where?" cried the Prince, starting up. "Where has she gone?" + +"To town," was the laconic reply. + +"What! I thought you intended keeping your grandchild at home all +winter." + +"That has been changed," replied the castle-keeper with imperturbable +composure. "My old sister Rosa only is at home now. If you wish to +measure my dwelling with her help, Herr Rojanow, she would consider it +a high honor." + +Rojanow glanced at the old man in no very friendly way, and the young +prince said reproachfully: + +"Now listen, Stadinger, you treat us in quite an unaccountable manner. +You even take Lena away from us, the only one who was worth looking at. +All else here in the female line have the sixties behind them, and +their heads positively shake from old age; and the kitchen women you +got from Furstenstein to help actually offend our sense of beauty." + +"Your Highnesses do not need to look at them," suggested Stadinger. "I +look out that the servants do not come into the castle, but if Your +Highness goes into the kitchen like the day before yesterday----" + +"Well, must I not inspect my servants at times? But I shall not go into +the kitchen a second time--you have taken care of that. I have my +suspicions that you have gathered here all the very ugliest of the Wald +to celebrate my arrival. You ought to be ashamed, Stadinger." + +The old man looked sharply and fixedly into his master's eyes, and his +voice sounded very impressive as he answered: + +"I am not ashamed a bit, Your Highness. When the late Prince, Your +Highness' father, gave me this post of rest he said to me, 'Keep order +at Rodeck, Stadinger--I rely upon you.' Well, I have kept order for +twelve years in the castle, and in my house particularly, and I shall +do that in future. Has Your Highness any orders for me?" + +"No, you old, rude thing," cried the Prince, half laughing, half angry. +"Make haste and get away. We do not need any curtain lectures." + +Stadinger obeyed. He saluted and marched off. + +Rojanow looked after him and shrugged his shoulders sarcastically. + +"I admire your patience, Egon. You allow your servants very +far-reaching liberty." + +"Stadinger is an exception," replied Egon. "He allows himself +everything; but he was not so much in the wrong when he sent Lena away. +I believe I should have done the same in his place." + +"But it is not the first time that this old castle-keeper has taken it +upon himself to call you and me to order. If I were his master he would +have his dismissal in the next hour." + +"If I tried that it would turn out badly for me," laughed the Prince. +"Such old family heirlooms, who have served for three generations, and +have carried the children in their arms, will be treated with respect. +I cannot gain anything there with orders and prohibitions. Peter +Stadinger does what he will, and occasionally lectures me just as he +sees fit." + +"If you suffer it--such a thing is incomprehensible to me." + +"Yes, it is a thing you do not comprehend, Hartmut," said Egon more +seriously. "You know only the slavish submission of the servants in +your country and the Orient. They kneel and bow at every opportunity, +yet steal and betray their masters whenever they can and know how. +Stadinger is of an enviable simplicity. My 'Highness' does not +intimidate him in the least. He often tells me the hardest things to my +face; but I could put hundreds of thousands in his hands--he would not +defraud me of one iota of it. If Rodeck were in flames and I in the +midst of it, the old man, with all his sixty years, would stand by me +without a second thought. All this is different with us in Germany." + +"Yes; with you in Germany," repeated Hartmut slowly, and his glance was +lost dreamily in the dusk of the forest. + +"Are you still so prejudiced against it?" asked Egon. "It cost me +persuasion and prayers enough to get you to accompany me here--you +fought so against entering German territory." + +"I wish I had not entered it," said Rojanow, gloomily. "You know----" + +"That all sorts of bitter remembrances have their origin here for +you--yes, you have told me that; but you must have been a boy then. +Have you not yet overcome the grudge against it? You have the most +obstinate reticence, anyway, upon this point. I have not yet heard what +it really was that----" + +"Egon, I beg of you, leave the subject," interrupted Hartmut, harshly. +"I have told you once for all that I cannot and will not speak of it. +If you mistrust me, let me go. I have not forced myself upon you, you +know that; but I cannot bear these inquiries and questions." + +The proud, inconsiderate tone which he used toward his friend did not +seem to be anything new to the Prince. He merely shrugged his shoulders +and said pacifyingly: + +"How irritable you are again to-day! I believe you are right when you +insist that German air makes you nervous. You are entirely changed +since you put foot on this soil." + +"It is possible. I feel that I torture you and myself with these whims; +therefore let me go, Egon." + +"I know better! Have I taken so much pains to catch you, just to let +you fly off again now? No, no, Hartmut, I shall not let you go by any +means." + +The words sounded playful, but Rojanow seemed to take them wrongly. His +eyes lighted up almost threateningly as he returned: + +"And what if I _will_ leave?" + +"Then I shall hold you like this." + +With an indescribably charming expression, Egon threw his arm around +his friend's shoulder. "And I shall ask if this bad, obstinate Hartmut +can bring his conscience to desert me. We have lived together almost +two years, and have shared danger and joy like two brothers, and now +you would storm out into the world again without asking about me. Am I, +then, so little to you?" + +Such warm, heartfelt beseeching was in the words that Rojanow's +irritation could not live. His eyes lit up with an expression which +showed that he returned just as intensely the passionate, enthusiastic +affection which the young Prince bore him, even if he was, in their +mutual relationship, the domineering one. + +"Do you believe that for the sake of any one else I would have come to +Germany?" he asked in a low voice. "Forgive me, Egon. I am an unstable +nature. I have never been able to stay long in any place since--since +my boyhood." + +"Then learn it now here at my home," cried Egon. "I came to Rodeck +especially to show you my country in its entire beauty. This old +edifice, which nestles in the midst of the deep forest like a fairy +castle, is a piece of forest poetry such as you could not find in any +of my other possessions. I know your taste--but I must really leave you +now. You will not drive with me over to Furstenstein?" + +"No; I will enjoy your much-praised forest poetry, which, it appears, +is already tiresome to you, as you wish to make calls." + +"Yes; I am no poet like you, who can dream and be enthused all day," +said Egon, laughing. "We have led the life of hermits for a full week, +and I cannot live on sunshine and forest perfume and the curtain +lectures of Stadinger alone. I need people, and the Chief Forester is +about the only person in the neighborhood. Besides, this Herr von +Schonan is a splendid, jolly man. You will yet meet and know him, too." + +He motioned to the waiting carriage, gave his hand to his friend, +sprang to his seat and rolled away. + + + + + CHAPTER XI. + + +Rojanow looked after him until the vehicle had disappeared behind the +trees, then he turned and took one of the paths which led into the +forest. He carried his gun over his shoulder, but evidently did not +think of hunting. Lost in thought, he walked further and further +aimlessly, without noticing the road or direction, until deepest forest +loneliness surrounded him. + +Prince Adelsberg was right; he knew his friend's taste. This forest +poetry took full possession of him. He finally came to a standstill and +drew a deep breath, but the cloud upon his brow would not dispel; it +grew darker and darker as he leaned against the trunk of a tree and +allowed his eyes to roam about. Something not of peace or joy was +depicted in those beautiful features, which all the sunny beauty around +could not erase. + +He saw this country for the first time; his former home was far removed +in the northern part of Germany; nothing here reminded him directly of +the past, and yet just here something awoke in him which seemed to have +long been dead--something which had not made itself felt in all those +years when he crossed oceans and countries, when intoxicating waves of +life surrounded him and he drank with full thirsty draughts the freedom +for which he had sacrificed so much--everything. + +The old German woods! They rustled here in the south as up there in the +familiar north; the same breath floated through the firs and oaks here +which whispered there in the crowns of the pines; the same voice which +had once been so familiar to the boy when he lay upon the mossy forest +soil. He had heard many other voices since, some coaxing and +flattering, some intoxicating and enthusiastic, but this voice sounded +so grave and yet so sweet in the rustling of the forest trees--the +fatherland spoke to the lost son! + +Something moved yonder in the bushes. Hartmut looked up indifferently, +thinking that some game was passing through, but instead of that he saw +the glimmer of a light dress. A lady emerged from a narrow side path +which wound through the forest, and stood still, apparently undecided +as to the direction she ought to take. + +Rojanow had started at the unexpected sight. It awoke him suddenly from +his dream and called him back to reality. The stranger had also noticed +him. She, too, seemed surprised, but only for a moment; then she drew +near and said with a slight bow: "May I ask you, sir, to show me the +road to Furstenstein? I am a stranger here and have lost my way in my +walk. I fear I have wandered considerably from my path." + +Hartmut had scanned the appearance of the young lady with a quick +glance, and immediately decided to act as guide. Although he did not +know the road about which she had asked--knew only the direction in +which it lay--it troubled him but little. He made a deeply polite bow. + +"I place myself entirely at your service, gracious Fraulein. +Furstenstein is, indeed, rather far from here, and you cannot possibly +find the road by yourself, so I must beg you to accept my escort." + +The lady seemed to have expected the right direction to be pointed out, +and the proffered escort was evidently not especially welcome, but she +may have been afraid of losing her way a second time, and the perfect +politeness with which the offer was made scarcely left her any choice. +She bowed after a moment's hesitation and replied: "I shall be very +much obliged to you. Please let us go." + +Rojanow pointed out a narrow, half-covered path which led in the +direction of Furstenstein, and entered it without further ado. He +decided to retain his role as guide, for the little adventure began to +interest him. + +His protege was, indeed, beautiful enough to make the encounter +interesting. The pure, delicate oval of her face; the high, clear brow +surrounded by shining blonde hair; the lines of the features--all was +perfect symmetry, but there was something chilling in the strong +regularity of these lines, which was rather increased by a mark of +energetic will power most plainly pronounced. The young lady could not +be more than eighteen or nineteen years old at the utmost, but she had +nothing of the charm of mirth and gayety belonging to that age. The +large blue eyes looked as calm and grave as if a girlish dream had +never brightened them, and the same cold, proud composure was visible +in the carriage and whole appearance. + +This tall, slender figure affected one like a chilling breath. Her +plain but elegant apparel showed that she belonged to the high classes. + +Rojanow had time enough to observe her as he walked now behind her and +now before, bending back the low-hanging bows, or warning of the +unevenness of the ground. This narrow forest path was truly not +comfortable, and proved itself not very appropriate for the toilet of a +lady. More than once her dress was caught by the bushes; the veil of +her hat was entangled in the boughs at every opportunity, while the +mossy soil proved at times very damp and foggy. + +All of this, however, was borne with perfect indifference, but Hartmut +felt that he was not doing himself much credit with his post as guide. + +"I am sorry to have to lead you over such a rough path, Fraulein," he +said courteously. "I am really afraid of fatiguing you, but we are in +the densest forest and there is no choice whatever." + +"I am not easily fatigued," was the calm rejoinder. "I care little for +the roughness of the road if it only leads to the desired end." + +The remark sounded somewhat unusual from the lips of a young girl. +Rojanow seemed to think so, and smiled rather sarcastically as he +repeated: + +"If it only leads to the desired end? Quite so--that is my opinion, but +ladies are usually of a different mind; they wish to be borne softly +over every inconvenience." + +"All of them? There are also women who prefer to go alone, without +being led like a child." + +"Perhaps, as an exception. I prize the chance which gives me the good +fortune of meeting such a charming exception----" + +Hartmut was about to utter a bold compliment, but suddenly grew silent, +for the blue eyes looked at him with an expression that made the words +die upon his lips. + +At this moment the lady's veil was caught again by a thorny bush, which +held it fast relentlessly. She stood still, but hardly had her +companion stretched forth his hand to disengage the delicate fabric, +when she tore herself free with a quick motion of the head. The veil +remained hanging in shreds on the bough, but his help had become +totally superfluous. + +Rojanow bit his lip. This adventure was developing quite differently +from what he had expected. He had thought to play the agreeable in that +bold, vainglorious manner which had become his second nature toward +ladies, to a timid young being who trusted herself entirely to his +protection, but he was being shown back to his proper place by a mere +glance at his first attempt. It was made very clear to him that he was +to be guide here and nothing else. + +Who, then, in truth, was this girl who, with her eighteen or nineteen +years, already showed the perfect ease of a great lady and who knew so +well how to make herself unapproachable? He concluded to have light +about it at any cost. + +The narrow path now ended; they emerged into an opening, the forest +continuing on the other side. + +It was not easy to be a guide here, where one was as little acquainted +with the country as Hartmut, but he would never confess his ignorance +now. + +Apparently quite certain, he kept in the same direction, choosing one +of the wood roads which crossed through the forest. There must surely +be a spot somewhere which would offer a free outlook and make it +possible to find the right road. + +The wider path now permitted them to walk side by side, and Hartmut +took immediate advantage of it to start a conversation, which thus far +had been impossible, since they had had to struggle with so many +obstacles. + +"I have neglected so far to introduce myself, gracious Fraulein," he +commenced. "My name is Rojanow. I am at present at Rodeck, a guest of +Prince Adelsberg, who enjoys the privilege of being your neighbor, +since you live at Furstenstein." + +"No; I am likewise only a guest there," replied the lady. + +The princely neighbor seemed to be as indifferent to her as the name of +her companion; at all events, she did not seem to consider it necessary +to give her name in return, but accepted the introduction with that +proud, aristocratic movement of the head which seemed to be peculiar to +her. + +"Ah, you live, then, at the Residenz, and have taken advantage of the +beautiful fall weather for an excursion here?" + +"Yes." + +It sounded as monosyllabic and rebuking as possible, but Rojanow was +not the man to be rebuked. He was accustomed to have his personality +felt everywhere--to meet with consideration and importance, +particularly among the ladies, and he felt it almost an insult that +this oft-tested success was denied him here. But it excited him to +enforce a conversation which apparently was not desired. + +"Are you satisfied with your stay at Furstenstein?" he began anew. "I +have not yet been there, and have only seen the castle from afar, but +it seems to overlook the whole vicinity. A peculiar taste is needed, +however, to find the country beautiful." + +"And this taste does not seem to be yours." + +"At any rate, I do not love the monotony, and here one has the same +view everywhere. Forest and forest and nothing but forest! It is enough +sometimes to create despair." + +It sounded like suppressed resentment. The poor German forests had to +atone for torturing the returned prodigal to such an extent that he had +been upon the point several times of fleeing from their whispering and +rustling. He could not bear it--this grave, monotonous tune of old +times which the leaves whispered to him. + +His companion heard, of course, only the sarcasm in the remark. + +"You are a foreigner, Herr Rojanow?" she asked calmly. + +A dark shadow passed again over Hartmut's brow. He hesitated for a +moment, then replied coldly: "Yes, gracious Fraulein." + +"I thought so; your name, as well as appearance, betrays it, and +therefore your opinion is conceivable." + +"It is certainly an unbiased opinion," said Hartmut, irritated by the +reproach contained in the last words. "I have seen a great deal of the +world, and have but now returned from the Orient. Whoever has known the +ocean in its brilliant, transparent blue, or its majestic, stormy +uproar; whoever has enjoyed the charm of the tropics, and been +intoxicated with their splendor and coloring--to him these evergreen +forest depths appear but cold and colorless, like all of these German +landscapes, anyhow." + +The contemptuous shrug of the shoulders with which he concluded seemed +to finally arouse his companion from her cool indifference. An +expression of displeasure flitted across her features, and her voice +betrayed a certain excitement as she answered: "That is probably solely +and entirely a matter of taste. I know, if not the Orient, at least the +south of Europe. Those sun-glaring, color-shining landscapes intoxicate +for the moment, certainly, and then they weary one. They lack freshness +and strength. One can dream and enjoy there, but not live and work. But +why argue about it? You do not understand our German forests." + +Hartmut smiled with undeniable satisfaction. He had succeeded in +breaking the icy reticence of his companion. All of his charming +politeness had been without effect, but he saw now that there was +something which could call life into those cold features, and he found +it attractive to draw it out. If he offended by it, it did not matter; +it gave him pleasure. + +"That sounds like a reproof which, alas! I have to accept," he said, +with an undisguised sneer. "It is possible that this understanding is +wanting in me. I am accustomed to measure nature differently from most +people. Live and work! It depends greatly upon what one calls living +and working. I have lived for years in Paris, that mighty centre of +civilization, where life throbs and flows in a thousand streams. +Whoever is used to being borne on those sparkling waves cannot bring +himself again into narrow, _petit_ views--into all those prejudices and +pedantries which in this good Germany are called 'life.'" + +The contemptuous stress which he put upon the last words had something +of a challenge in it, and reached its aim. + +His companion came to a sudden standstill and measured him from head to +foot, while from the formerly cold, blue eyes there flashed a spark of +burning anger. She seemed to have an angry reply upon her lips, but +suppressed it. She only straightened herself to her fullest height, and +her words were few and of icy, haughty reprimand. + +"You forget, mein Herr, that you speak to a German. I remind you of +it." + +Hartmut's brow glowed dark-red under this stern reproof, and yet it was +directed only to the stranger--the foreigner--who forgot the +consideration of a guest. + +If this girl had an idea who spoke so to her--if she knew! Hot, burning +shame rose suddenly within him, but he was man of the world enough to +control himself immediately. + +"I beg your pardon," he said with a slight, half-sarcastic bow. "I was +under the impression that we were exchanging only general views, which +have the right of unbiased opinions. I am sorry to have offended you, +gracious Fraulein." + +An inimitable, proud and disdainful motion of the head assured him that +he did not even possess the power to offend her. She shrugged her +shoulders in a barely perceptible manner. + +"I do not wish to bias your opinions in the least, but as our views are +so widely different on this matter, we will do better to discontinue +our conversation." + +Rojanow was not inclined to continue it. He knew now that those cold, +blue eyes could flash. He had wished to see it--had caused it to +happen, and yet the matter had ended differently from what he had +anticipated. He glanced with a half hostile look at the slender figure +at his side, and then his eyes roamed resentfully again in the bitterly +abused green depths of the forest. + + + + + CHAPTER XII. + + +This forest loneliness had, however, something fascinating in it. It +was touched by the first slight breath of autumn; that touch which has +not yet brought withering and death, but has only steeped the landscape +in richer coloring. Here and there brilliant red and gold flashed +through the bushes, but the forest itself still rested fresh and +aromatic in its green dusk. + +Beneath the crowns of the century-old trees bending gracefully toward +each other, deep, cool shadows glided, and in the openings golden +sunshine lay glistening on the flowers which bloomed here in the light. +Occasionally in the distance the bright mirror of a small pond +glittered, resting lonely, as if lost in the midst of the deep forest. + +Through the profound quiet all around could be heard the low rustling +of the mighty trees and the humming and singing of thousands of insects +that seemed to float upon the rays of the sun: all of those mysterious +voices which are heard only in solitude--the sweet, dreamy language of +the forest. It lured and coaxed irresistibly with its green depths, +which stretched endlessly, always further and further, as if it wished +to keep forever within its charm the two now walking through it. + +But suddenly quite an unexpected obstacle appeared before them. Dashing +and roaring from the thickly grown heights, a broad forest brook made a +way for itself with merry haste through bushes and rocks. + +Rojanow paused in his walk and took in the situation with a quick +glance, but as nowhere could a ford or bridge be discovered, he turned +to his companion. + +"I fear we are in trouble; the brook seems to put an end to our path. +It is usually easy to cross on the moss-covered stones at the bottom, +with some care, but yesterday's rain has covered them completely." + +The young lady was looking anxiously for some crossing place. "Would it +not be possible further down?" she asked, pointing down the stream. + +"No, for the water is deeper and more rapid there. We must cross here +at this place. Of course, you cannot go through the water. You will +permit me, Fraulein, to carry you over?" + +The offer was made with perfect courtesy and reserve, but Rojanow's +eyes flashed triumphantly. Chance was avenging him now on the +unapproachable one, who would not suffer his assistance even in the +disengaging of her veil from a thorn bush. She had now to entrust +herself unconditionally to his help, there was no choice but to allow +herself to be carried in his arms to the other bank. + +He drew near as if the permission sought had been granted, but she +recoiled. + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow." + +Hartmut smiled with an irony which he took no pains to conceal. He was +master of the situation now and intended to remain so. + +"Do you desire to turn back?" he asked. "More than an hour would be +lost, whereas if we cross here the other side will be reached in a few +moments. You can trust yourself to my arms without fear--the crossing +will be quite without danger." + +"I think so, too," was the calm reply, "and therefore I shall try it +alone." + +"Alone? That is impossible, Fraulein!" + +"Impossible to walk through a forest brook? I do not consider that a +particularly heroic deed." + +"But the water is deeper than you think. You will get a thorough +wetting, and besides--it is really impossible." + +"I am not effeminate in the least and do not catch cold easily. Be so +kind as to go first. I will follow." + +That was plain enough, and sounded so commanding that remonstrance was +not possible. Hartmut bowed a silent assent and waded through the +water, which could do no damage to his high hunting boots. + +It was indeed, rather deep and violent, so that he had to be careful in +getting a firm foothold upon the stones. A slight smile played around +his lips as he stood on the other bank and awaited his companion, who +had refused his protection so haughtily. Let her try coming alone; the +water would frighten her; she would not be able to battle with it, and +would be compelled to call him to help her in spite of her reluctance. + +She had followed him without hesitation. With her delicate, thin boots +offering no resistance whatever, she already stood in the water, which +was cold, but she seemed scarcely to feel it. Catching up her dress +with both hands, she advanced carefully and slowly, but quite surely, +to the middle of the brook. + +But here in the midst of the dashing, foaming flood, it required the +firm step of a man to hold its own. The slender, soft foot of the lady +searched in vain for a hold upon the slippery stones. The high heels of +the dainty boots were as much of a detriment as the dress, the hem of +which was caught by the waves. + +The courageous pedestrian apparently lost the confidence hitherto +displayed. She slipped several times and finally stood still. A +questioning glance flew over to the bank where Rojanow stood, firmly +decided not to lift his hand to help her until she asked for it. + +She may have read this resolution in his eyes, and it seemed to give +her back instantly her failing strength. She stood immovable a moment, +but the determined expression in her features was in full play. +Suddenly she slipped from the flooded stones into water a foot deep, +where she now, indeed, gained terra firma directly on the bottom of the +brook, and could walk unmolested to the other bank. She grasped a +branch of a tree, instead of Hartmut's offered hand, and by its aid +swung herself to dry land. + +Naturally she was very wet. The water ran from her dress, which she had +released from her grasp without consideration, but with perfect +unconcern she turned to her escort and said: "Shall we continue on our +way? It cannot be very far to Furstenstein." + +Hartmut did not return a syllable, but something like hatred sprang up +within him for this woman, who would rather slip into the cold flood +than trust herself to his arms. The proud, spoiled man whose brilliant +traits had heretofore won all hearts, felt so much more keenly the +humiliation which was forced upon him here. He almost cursed the whole +encounter. + +They walked on. From time to time Rojanow threw a glance upon the +heavy, wet hem of the dress which trailed on the ground beside him, but +otherwise he bestowed his whole attention upon the surroundings, which +seemed to get lighter. This forest thickness must end some time! + +His supposition was correct. He had been successful in his leadership, +for the path taken at random proved the right one. In about ten minutes +they stood upon a slight elevation which offered a free outlook. Over +yonder, above an ocean of treetops, rose the towers of Furstenstein, +while a broad road, which could be plainly seen, wound to the foot of +the castle mount. + +"There is Furstenstein," said Hartmut, turning for the first time to +his companion, "although it will be about half an hour's walk from +here." + +"That is of no consequence," she interrupted him quickly. "I am very +grateful to you for your guidance, but I cannot now miss the road, and +I should not like to trouble you further." + +"As you wish, gracious Fraulein," Rojanow said, coldly. "If you desire +to dismiss your guide here he will not force himself upon you." + +The reproach was understood. The young lady herself might feel that a +man who had guided her through the forest for hours might well deserve +a different dismissal, even if she found it necessary to keep him at a +distance. + +"I have already detained you too long," she said graciously, "and since +you have introduced yourself, Herr Rojanow, let me give you my name +also before we part--Adelaide von Wallmoden." + +Hartmut started slightly and a burning blush covered his face as he +repeated slowly, "Wallmoden!" + +"Is the name familiar to you?" + +"I believe I have heard it before, but it was in--in North Germany." + +"Most probably, for that is my husband's home." + +Unmistakable surprise was depicted in Rojanow's face as the supposed +young girl announced herself a married woman, but he bowed politely. + +"Then I beg your pardon, gracious lady, for the wrong address. I could +not anticipate that you were married. In any case, I have not the honor +of knowing your husband even by name, for the gentleman who was then +known to me was already advanced in years. He belonged to the +diplomatic corps, and his name was, if I am not mistaken, Herbert von +Wallmoden." + +"Quite right; my husband is at present Ambassador at the court of this +country. But he will be anxious about my long stay. I must not tarry +longer. Once again, my thanks, Herr Rojanow." + +She bowed slightly and took the descending road. Hartmut stood +motionless, looking after her, but an ashy paleness was on his face. + +So--he had hardly set foot upon German soil before there met him a name +and connection with old times which was at least painfully disagreeable +to him. + +Herbert von Wallmoden, brother of Frau von Eschenhagen, guardian of +Willibald, and friend of---- + +Rojanow suddenly broke off in his thoughts, for a sharp, painful stab +sank into his breast. + +As if to throw something from him he straightened himself, and again +the harsh, offensive sarcasm trembled around his lips, over which he +had such masterly command. + +"Uncle Wallmoden has made a fine career at least," he murmured, "and +seems to have had good luck besides. His hair must have been gray a +long time, and yet with it he conquers a young, beautiful girl. Of +course an ambassador is always a good match, hence the cool, +aristocratic manner which does not consider it worth the while to bend +to other mortals. Probably the diplomatic school of the husband has +educated his chosen one especially for this position. Well, he has +succeeded admirably." + +His eyes still followed the young wife, who had already reached the +foot of the hill, but now a deep furrow appeared in his brow. + +"If I should meet Wallmoden here--and it can scarcely be avoided--he +will recognize me beyond a doubt. If he then tells her the truth--if +she learns what has happened--and looks at me again with that look of +contempt----" In wild, out-breaking wrath he stamped his foot upon the +ground, then laughed bitterly. + +"Pah! what do I care? What does this blond, blue-eyed race, with their +indolent, cold blood, know of the longing for freedom--of the storm of +passions--of life in general? Let them pass judgment upon me! I do not +fear the meeting. I shall know how to hold my own." + +Throwing back his head in proud defiance, he turned his back upon the +slender female figure yet visible, and walked back into the forest. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII. + + +At the home of the Chief of all the foresters, the talked-of family +fete for which Wallmoden and his young wife had expressly come, had +taken place according to programme, and the lord of Burgsdorf and +Antonie von Schonan were formally betrothed. + +The young couple had long known that they were intended for each other, +and were perfectly contented therewith. + +Willibald, like a good son, was still of the opinion that the selection +of his future wife was solely the business of his mother, and he had +quietly waited until she found it convenient to betroth him. Still it +was agreeable to him that it was just Cousin Toni he was to marry. + +He had known her since their childhood; she suited him admirably, and +what was of some importance, she made no demands for the romantic part +of the engagement, which, with the best will in the world, he could not +have complied with. + +Toni exhibited the good taste which Frau Regine credited her with. +Willy pleased her very much, and the prospect of becoming mistress of +stately Burgsdorf pleased her still better. So all was in perfect +accord. + +The betrothed couple were at present in the reception room where the +piano stood and Antonie was entertaining her betrothed with music at +the request of her father. She herself considered music a very tiresome +and superfluous affair; but the Chief Forester had insisted that his +daughter should demonstrate not only her ability as a housekeeper, but +that she had also been educated in the higher arts. + +He was walking up and down the terrace with his sister-in-law, with the +original intention of listening to the music, but instead of that they +were quarreling again, although they had started out with a peaceful +conversation about the happiness of the children. This time the quarrel +seemed to be of a very violent nature. + +"I really do not know what to think of you, Moritz," said Frau von +Eschenhagen with a very red face. "You do not seem to have any sense of +the impropriety of this acquaintance. When I ask you who this bosom +friend of Toni's really is--the one who is expected at Waldhofen--you +answer me in the calmest manner possible that she is a singer, and +recently engaged at the Court Theatre. An actress! a theatre princess! +one of those frivolous creatures----" + +"But, Regine, do not get so excited," interrupted von Schonan vexedly. +"You act as though the poor thing was already lost body and soul, +because she has appeared on the stage." + +"So she is," declared Regine; "whoever once enters this Sodom and +Gomorrah is not to be saved--they go to their ruin there." + +"Very flattering to our Court Theatre," said Schonan drily. "Besides, +all of us go there." + +"As audience--that is quite different. But I have always been against +it. Willy has been allowed to attend the theatre but seldom, and then +only in my company; but while I fulfil my maternal duty, +conscientiously protecting my son from any touch with those circles, +you give his future wife over freely to their poisonous influences. It +is worthy of a cry to heaven!" + +Her voice had grown very loud, partly through indignation and partly +that she might be heard, for the musical performance in the room, whose +glass doors stood wide open, was of a rather loud nature. + +The young lady had a somewhat hard touch and her performance reminded +one of the working of an ax in hard wood. Although her three listeners +had strong nerves, a low conversation had become an impossibility. + +"Let me explain this matter to you," said the Chief Forester +pacifyingly. "I have already told you that this case is an exception. +Marietta Volkmar is the granddaughter of our good old physician at +Waldhofen. He had the misfortune to lose his son in the prime of +life--the young widow followed her husband in the next year, and their +child, the little orphan, came to her grandfather. That happened when I +was promoted here to Furstenstein, ten years ago. Dr. Volkmar became my +house physician; his granddaughter the playmate of my children, and +because the school in Waldhofen was very poor, I offered to let the +little one participate in the lessons of my children. The friendship +dates from then. + +"Later on, when Toni was sent to boarding school for two years, and +Marietta went to the city for her musical education, this daily +intercourse was, of course, broken, but Marietta visits us regularly +when she comes to her grandfather during her vacations, and I do not +see why I should prohibit it as long as the girl remains good and +true." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had listened to the explanation without abating +her severity in the least, and now she laughed ironically. + +"Good and true at the theatre! One knows how things go there, but you +seem to take it just as easy as this Dr. Volkmar, who looks so +venerable with his white hair, and yet consents to his granddaughter--a +young soul entrusted to his care--going on the path to destruction." + +Herr von Schonan made an impatient gesture. + +"Regine, you are usually such a sensible woman, but you have never +wished to be reasonable on this point. The theatre and everything +connected with it has always been under a ban to you. The decision has +not been an easy one for the doctor. I know that; and if one like me +can sit in the warm nest and support one's children, one should not +break the staff over other parents who struggle with bitter cares. +Volkmar still works night and day with all his seventy years, but the +practice brings him but little, for our vicinity is poor, and Marietta +will be quite without means after his death." + +"She ought to have become a governess or companion, then; that is a +decent vocation." + +"But a miserable vocation. One knows well how the poor things are +treated and overworked. If a child of mine, whom I loved, had to decide +her lot in life, and it was told me that she had a fortune in her +throat and that a splendid future was assured her--well, I should let +her go on the stage, depend upon that." + +This confession knocked the bottom out of the barrel. Frau Regine stood +for a moment quite still in affright; then she said solemnly: "Moritz, +I shudder at you." + +"I don't care. If it gives you any pleasure to shudder, keep at it; but +if Marietta comes to Furstenstein as usual, I shall not repulse her, +and I also have nothing against Toni's going to see her in Waldhofen." + +Herr von Schonan had also to speak very loud, for his daughter was +pounding the keys so that the windows rattled, and the strings of the +piano were seriously endangered. The Chief Forester, while in the heat +of the controversy, noticed this as little as did his sister-in-law, +who now replied with much sharpness: + +"Well, then, it is at least a good thing that Toni is to marry soon. +Then the friendship with this theatre princess will come to an end, +depend upon that. Such guests are not suffered at our respectable +Burgsdorf, and Willy will not allow his wife the correspondence which +seems now to be going on at a lively rate." + +"That means that _you_ will not allow it," shouted von Schonan, +mockingly. "Willy has nothing to forbid or allow; he is only the +obedient servant of his gracious Frau Mamma. It is unjustifiable how +you keep that boy under your thumb when he is of age, betrothed, and +soon to be a husband." + +Frau von Eschenhagen, offended, straightened herself. + +"I believe I am more conscientious with my responsibilities than you +are. Do you wish to reproach me for raising my son with filial +reverence and love?" + +"Oh, well; there is a point where conscientiousness ceases and +maltreating commences. You have already made Willy quite silly +with your eternal supervision. He did not dare to even propose on his +own account; when the matter began to get too long for you, you +interfered as usual. 'Why these preliminaries, children? You shall +have each other--you wish it, your parents consent, you have my +blessing--therefore kiss each other and bring the thing to an end.' +That is your standpoint. I, too, had filial reverence and affection, +but if my parents had come into my wooing like that they would have +heard something very different. But Willy accepted it calmly. I truly +believe he was glad that he did not have to make a formal proposal." + +The excitement of the twain had again risen to the boiling point, and +it was now well that the noise inside had so increased that they could +not hear each other further. + +Fraulein Antonie had strength at least in her hands, and as she seemed +to consider that the most important thing, her performance sounded as +if a regiment of soldiers were storming an attack. + +It was too much for her father. He suddenly broke off the conversation +and entered the room. + +"But, Toni, you do not need to break the new piano," he said with +vexation. "What piece are you playing?" + +Toni sat at the piano, laboring in the sweat of her brow; not far +removed sat her betrothed upon a sofa, his head supported by his arm +and eyes shaded by his hand, apparently quite entranced with the music. + +The young lady turned at her father's question and said in her usual +slow voice, "I was playing the March of the Janissaries, papa. I +thought it would please Willy, since he, too, has been a soldier." + +"So? But he served as a dragoon," muttered Schonan, approaching his +future son-in-law, who did not seem to appreciate the delicate +attention, for he gave no sign of approval. + +"Willy, what do you say to it? Willy, do you not hear? I actually +believe he has fallen asleep." + +Alas! the supposition proved correct. While the March of the +Janissaries thundered over the keys, Willy had softly and sweetly +fallen asleep, slumbering so soundly that he did not even now awake. +This seemed too much for his mother, who had also approached. She +grasped his arm sharply. + +"But, Willy, whatever does this mean? Are you not ashamed of yourself?" + +The young lord, shaken and scolded on all sides, finally aroused +himself and sleepily gazed around. "What--what shall I---- Yes, it was +beautiful, dear Toni." + +"I believe it," cried the Chief with an angry laugh. "Do not trouble +yourself to play any more, my child. Come, we will let your groom-elect +have his nap out in peace. He has good nerves; one must confess that." + +Saying which he took his daughter's arm and left the room, where the +fullest maternal wrath now broke over poor Willibald. Frau von +Eschenhagen, already provoked by the preceding conversation, did not +spare her son, but justified only too well the reproaches of her +brother-in-law. She scolded the engaged and soon-to-be-a-husband young +man like a schoolboy. + +"This surpasses everything conceivable," she concluded in highest +indignation. "Your father was not very much at courting, but if he, +after two days' betrothal, had fallen asleep while I was entertaining +him with my music, I should have aroused him very unceremoniously. Now, +do you go immediately to your fiancee and beg her pardon. She is quite +right to feel offended." + +With which she grasped him by the shoulder and pushed him very +emphatically toward the door. + +Willy accepted it all very humbly and remorsefully, for he was indeed +shocked at his untimely slumber; but he could not help it--he had been +so sleepy and the music was so wearying. + +Quite crushed, he entered the next room, where Toni stood, rather +offended, at the window. + +"Dear Toni, do not think hard of me," he began hesitatingly; "it was so +hot and your playing had something so pacifying." + +Toni turned. That this march, with her playing of it, should be +pacifying was new to her; but when she saw the crushed mien of her +betrothed, who stood like a prisoner before her, her good nature +conquered, and she held out her hand. + +"No, I am not angry with you, Willy," she said cordially. "I do not +care either for the stupid music. We will do something more sensible +when we are at Burgsdorf." + +"Yes, that we will," exclaimed Willy, joyfully pressing the offered +hand. He had not yet aspired to even a kiss upon the hand. "You are so +good, Toni." + +When Frau von Eschenhagen entered soon afterward, she found the couple +in perfect harmony, engaged in a highly interesting conversation about +dairy affairs, which were somewhat different in the two localities of +Burgsdorf and Furstenstein. This was a subject over which Willy did not +fall asleep, and his mother congratulated herself secretly upon this +splendid daughter-in-law, who showed no inconvenient sensitiveness. + +The young man found opportunity almost directly to prove himself +grateful for the indulgence of his betrothed. Toni complained that a +package which she had ordered and which was needed for the supper table +had not yet come. It had arrived safely at the post office, but, it +seemed, with a wrong address, and had not been delivered to the +messenger, who in the meantime had been dispatched elsewhere. No other +servant was at liberty to go, and the time of need for it was drawing +near. Willibald hastened to offer his services, which were joyfully +accepted by his fiancee. + + + + + CHAPTER XIV. + + +Waldhofen was the most important village of the vicinity, but still +only a small place. It was about half an hour's distance from +Furstenstein and formed a kind of centre for all the scattered villages +and hamlets of the Wald. + +It looked very desolate and forlorn during the afternoon hours, when +nobody was on the streets; so thought Herr von Eschenhagen as he walked +across the market place, where the post office was situated. + +He finished the errand which had brought him to Waldhofen, and found a +man to carry the parcel to the castle. Then, since the streets of the +quiet little place offered no diversion, he turned into a lane which +led to the high road behind the gardens of the houses. + +The path was rather boggy; yesterday's rain had made it quite without a +foothold in places. Yet Willibald was farmer enough not to care about +such things, but marched on unconcernedly. + +He was in an exceedingly happy mood. It was surely a pleasant thing to +be betrothed, and he did not doubt in the least that he would lead a +very happy life in the future with his good Toni. + +At this moment a carriage came toward him, making its way laboriously +through the boggy soil, and apparently bringing travellers, for a large +trunk was strapped on behind, and the inside seemed to contain various +travelling appurtenances. + +Willibald could not help wondering why they used this lane, which, in +its present condition, was very tiresome; indeed the driver seemed +dissatisfied. He turned in his seat to consult with the traveller, who +so far had not been visible. + +"It really does not go any further, Fraulein. I told you so before. We +cannot get through here, the wheels stick in the mud. We are in a fix +now." + +"But it is not far now," said a fresh voice from the inside; "only a +few hundred paces. Just try it again." + +"What is not possible is not possible," returned the driver with +philosophical composure. "We cannot get through that mire before us; we +must turn back." + +"But I do not wish to drive through town." The voice had a spice of +defiance in it now. "If it is not possible to drive on, I shall +dismount." + +The driver stopped, the door was opened, and a light, slender figure +sprang from the carriage with such sure aim as to reach a higher spot +across the mire. There she remained and glanced around searchingly: but +as the lane made a bend nearby, only a little of it could be +overlooked. The young lady seemed to observe this with dissatisfaction. +Then her glance fell upon Herr von Eschenhagen, who, approaching from +the other direction, now reached the bend. + +"Please, mein Herr, is the lane passable?" she called. He did not +answer directly, being petrified with admiration of her daring and +graceful jump. Why, she flew through the air like a feather and yet +stood firm and safe upon her feet where she landed. + +"Do you not hear?" repeated the Fraulein impatiently; "I asked if the +lane is passable." + +"Yes, I have walked over it," said Willibald, somewhat confused by the +dictatorial questioning. + +"I see that, but I have no boots like yours and cannot wade through the +mire. Is it possible to pass along the hedges? Great heavens! at least +answer me." + +"I--I believe so. It is somewhat dry over yonder." + +"Well, I shall try, then. Turn back, driver, and deliver my baggage at +the post office. I will send for it. Wait, I will take that satchel +with me. Hand it across." + +"But the satchel is too heavy for you, Fraulein," remonstrated the +driver, "and I cannot leave the horses alone." + +"Well, then, this gentleman will carry it for me. It is not far to our +garden. Please, mein Herr, take the satchel, the small one upon the +back seat with the black leather lining. But do make haste." + +The little foot stamped the ground impatiently, for the young lord +stood there with open mouth. He could not comprehend how a total +stranger could dispose of him so nonchalantly, nor how so young a girl +could command in such a way. + +At the last very ungracious words, however, he made haste to approach +and take the designated satchel, which seemed the proper thing to be +done. + +"So," she said shortly. "You, driver, stop at the post office, and now +forward into the bogs of Waldhofen!" + +She picked up her gray travelling dress and walked close to the hedge, +where the road was somewhat higher and dryer. + +Willibald, of whom no notice was taken, trotted behind her with the +satchel. He had never seen anything so graceful as this slender figure, +which did not reach to his shoulder, and he occupied himself in +observing this figure, because he had nothing else to do. + +The young girl had something exceedingly charming and graceful in her +motions, as well as her whole appearance; but the small head, with the +dark hair curling from under her hat, was carried with undeniable +spirit. The face was rather irregular in outline, but lovely with its +dark, roguish eyes, while the small, rosy mouth, around which lay a +line of refractory defiance, and the two dimples in the chin, made it +perfectly charming. The gray travelling dress, in spite of its +plainness, was very tasteful and met the requirements of fashion. The +young traveller apparently did not belong to the home-made villagers of +Waldhofen. + +The road around the corner proved indeed somewhat dryer, but one had to +keep to the little, raised path near the hedge and to jump at times +over damp places. Conversation was, therefore, not possible, and Willy, +in truth, never thought of commencing it. He carried the satchel +patiently, accepting just as patiently the fact that his companion did +not concern herself in the least about him, until, after ten minutes' +walk, they stood at the low gate of a garden. + +The young girl bent over the pickets and pushed an inside bolt; then +she turned. + +"Many thanks, mein Herr. Please give me my satchel now." + +In spite of its small dimensions, the bag was rather heavy, much too +heavy for the little hands outstretched for it. Willibald was seized +with a sudden attack of chivalry--not a usual fault with him--and +declared that he would carry it to the house, which was accepted with a +gracious nod. + +They passed through a small, but carefully kept, garden to an old, +plain house, and entered through the back door into a cool, dusky hall, +where their arrival was immediately perceived. An old servant rushed +out of the kitchen. + +"Fraulein! Fraulein Marietta! Have you come already to-day? Ach, what +joy----" + +She got no further, for Marietta flew to her and pressed her little +hand upon her mouth. + +"Be still, Babette! Speak quietly; I want to surprise him. Is he at +home?" + +"Yes, the Herr Doctor is in his study. Do you wish to go there, +Fraulein?" + +"No; I will steal into the sitting room and sing his favorite song. +Careful now, Babette; so that he does not hear us." + +Like a fairy she slipped lightly and noiselessly to the other side of +the house and opened a door. Babette followed her, not noticing, in the +joy and surprise of her Fraulein's return, that some one else stood in +the dark hall. The door was left wide open, a chair was carefully +moved, and directly a low prelude began in trembling notes, probably +from a venerable old piano; but it sounded like the music of a harp, +and then a voice arose, clear and sweet and joyous as a lark. + +It did not last many minutes, for a door opposite was hastily opened, +and a white-haired old man appeared. + +"Marietta, my Marietta! is it really you?" + +"Grandpapa!" was cried back, joyfully. The song broke off and Marietta +threw herself upon her grandfather's neck. + +"You naughty child, how you have frightened me!" he scolded, tenderly. +"I did not expect you until the day after to-morrow, and intended to +meet you at the station. Now I hear your voice, and do not dare to +believe my ears." + +The young girl laughed merrily as a child. She was more than happy and +content. + +"Yes, the surprise has been a complete success, grandpapa. I drove into +the lane and actually stuck in the bog. I came in the back door. What +do you want, Babette?" + +"Fraulein, the man who brought the bag is still there," said the old +servant, who had but just observed the stranger. "Shall I pay him for +you?" + +The young lord still stood there with the satchel in his hand. But now +Dr. Volkmar turned and exclaimed in great embarrassment: "Gracious +heavens! Herr von Eschenhagen!" + +"Do you know the gentleman?" Marietta asked without much surprise, for +her grandfather was accustomed to meet all of Waldhofen in his office +of physician. + +"Certainly. Babette, take the valise from the gentleman. I beg your +pardon, mein Herr. I did not know that you were already acquainted with +my granddaughter." + +"No, we are not acquainted in the least," declared the girl. "Will you +not present the gentleman to me, grandpapa?" + +"Certainly, my child. Herr Willibald von Eschenhagen of Burgsdorf----" + +"Toni's betrothed!" interrupted Marietta, gaily. "Oh, how funny that we +should meet in the middle of a bog! If I had only known, Herr von +Eschenhagen, I would not have treated you so badly. I let you follow me +like a regular porter. But why did you not say something?" + +Willibald did not say anything now, but looked mutely at the little +hand which was cordially extended to him. Feeling that he had to either +say or do something, he grasped the rosy little hand in his giant fist +and squeezed and shook it heartily. + +"Oh!" cried the young lady, retreating horrified; "you have an awful +handshake, Herr von Eschenhagen. I believe you have broken my fingers." + +Willibald turned red with confusion and stammered an excuse. +Fortunately, Dr. Volkmar now invited him to enter, which invitation he +accepted silently, and Marietta narrated in a very laughable way her +meeting with him. She treated her friend's betrothed like an old +acquaintance, for she had long known of their engagement. She asked him +about Toni, about the Chief Forester and all the household, her small, +red mouth rattling on like a mill wheel. + +Still the young lord was almost mute. The clear voice which sounded, +even in talking, like the twittering of birds, utterly confused him. + +He had only met the doctor yesterday, when the latter had called +at Furstenstein. There had been some casual mention of a certain +Marietta--a friend of Toni's--but he did not know anything further, for +his fiancee was not very communicative. + +"And this naughty child allows you to stand in the hall without +ceremony, while she seats herself at the piano to notify me of her +arrival," said Volkmar, shaking his head. "That was very naughty, +Marietta." + +The young girl laughed and shook her curly head. + +"Oh, Herr von Eschenhagen will not be offended at that, and therefore +he may listen while I sing you your favorite song again. You scarcely +heard a note of it before. Shall I begin now?" + +Without waiting for an answer, she ran to the piano, and again that +silvery, clear voice arose, entrancing the ear with its charm. She sang +an old, simple carol, but it sounded as soft and sweet and coaxing as +if spring and sunshine had suddenly entered the desolate rooms of the +old house. It spread sunshine over the face of the old, white-haired +man, where many a line of care and anxiety was visible. He listened +with a smile, half sad, half happy, to the song which may have reminded +him of his youth. But he was not the only attentive listener. + +The young lord of Burgsdorf, who two hours previously had fallen asleep +amidst the thunders of "The Janissaries' March"--who, in perfect accord +with his betrothed, had considered silly music a tiresome thing--now +listened to those soft, floating sounds as intently as if they brought +him a revelation. + +He sat there, bent over, his eyes fixed immovably upon the young girl, +who apparently put all her soul into the song, moving her head to and +fro with an infinitely graceful motion. + +When the song ended he breathed deeply and passed his hand across his +brow. + +"My little singing bird," said Dr. Volkmar, tenderly bending over his +granddaughter and kissing her brow. + +"Well, grandpapa, my voice has not exactly deteriorated in the last few +months, has it?" she asked, teasingly, "but it does not seem to please +Herr von Eschenhagen. He does not say a word about it." + +She glanced with a childish pout over at Willibald, who now also arose +and approached the piano. A slight flush suffused his face, and his +usually quiet eyes flashed as he said in a low tone: "Oh, it was +beautiful, very beautiful!" + +The young singer may have been accustomed to other compliments, but she +felt the deep, honest admiration in the laconic words, and knew very +well the impression the song had made. She smiled, therefore, as she +replied: "Yes, the song is beautiful. I have always had a regular +triumph when I sang it as an addition to my role." + +"To your role!" replied Willibald, not understanding the expression. + +"Yes, in the play from which I have just returned. Oh, it has been a +splendid success, grandpapa. The manager would gladly have prolonged +it, but I had already given the greater part of my vacation to it, and +I wished to be with you at least a few weeks." + +The young lord listened with increasing astonishment. + +Play! vacation! manager! What could all that mean? The doctor saw his +surprise. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen does not know your vocation, my child," he said, +quietly. "My granddaughter has been educated for the opera." + +"How dryly you say that, grandpapa!" cried Marietta, springing up. +Straightening herself to the fullest height of her dainty figure, she +added, with mock solemnity: "For five months a member of the highly +respected Ducal Court Theatre, a person of official honors and renown!" + +Member of the Court Theatre! Willibald almost shuddered at those awful +words. The obedient son of his mother shared her disdain of +"actresses." Involuntarily he receded a step and glared horrified at +the young lady who had imparted such awful news to him. She laughed +merrily at this motion. + +"You are not compelled to show so exceeding much respect and awe, Herr +von Eschenhagen. I will allow you to remain near the piano. Has not +Toni told you that I am on the stage?" + +"Toni--no!" Willibald burst out, having lost his composure completely. +"But she is waiting for me. I must return to Furstenstein. I have +tarried here already too long." + +"You are very polite," laughed the girl, gayly. "That is not very +flattering to us, but since you are engaged you must naturally return +to your fiancee." + +"Yes, and to my mamma," said Willibald, who had a dark feeling that +something awful threatened him, before which his mother appeared as a +saving angel. "I beg your pardon, but I have stayed here already too +long----" + +He stopped, for he remembered that he had already said that once, and +searched for other words, but could not find any, and, unhappily, +repeated the phrase for the third time. + +Marietta almost choked with laughter, but Dr. Volkmar declared politely +that they did not wish to detain him any longer, and begged him to take +his regards to the Chief Forester and Fraulein von Schonan. + +The young lord scarcely heard. He looked for his hat, made a bow, +stammered a few words of adieu and ran off as if his head was burning. +He had but one thought--that he must leave as quickly as possible; that +gay, teasing laugh made him crazy. + +When Volkmar, who had escorted Willibald to the door, returned, his +granddaughter was wiping the tears from her eyes, quite overcome with +laughter. + +"I believe something is wrong with Toni's betrothed here," she cried, +putting a delicate ringer to her forehead. "At first he ran behind me, +mutely carrying the bag like a fish wife; then he seemed to thaw at my +singing, and now he is seized with an attack of something and runs away +to Furstenstein to his 'mamma,' so quickly that I could not even send a +greeting to his betrothed." + +The doctor smiled a little plaintively. He had observed closely and +guessed whence came this sudden change of manner in his guest. + +"The young man has probably not had much intercourse with ladies," he +said, evasively; "and he seems to stand somewhat in awe of his mother, +but he appears to please his fiancee very well, and that is surely the +most important thing." + +"Yes, he is handsome," said Marietta, somewhat thoughtfully; "even very +handsome. But I believe, grandpapa, he is also very stupid." + +In the meantime Willibald had run like a storm to the next corner, +where he came to a standstill and tried to collect his thoughts, which +were in great confusion. It was a long time before he succeeded, but he +looked back once more to the doctor's house before he walked on. + +What would his mother say to it? She who had placed the whole world of +actresses under a ban; and she was right. Willy plainly felt that +something bewitching belonged to the tribe; one had to beware of them. + +But what if this Marietta Volkmar should take a notion to visit her +friend at Furstenstein? The young lord ought to have been horrified at +the thought, and was convinced that he was horrified; but with all that +the strange flash returned to his eyes. He suddenly saw in the +reception room, at the piano where Toni had been a little while ago, a +small, delicate figure, whose dark, curly head moved to and fro like a +bird, and the thunder of the march changed into the soft, rippling +notes of the old carol, while between all again sounded the gay, +silvery laugh which also was music. + +And all this loveliness must be ruined and lost because it belonged to +the stage! Frau von Eschenhagen had often expressed such an opinion, +and Willibald was too good a son not to consider her an oracle. But he +heaved a deep sigh, and murmured: "Oh, what a pity; what a great pity!" + + + + + CHAPTER XV. + + +About half way between Furstenstein and Rodeck, where the forest +mountains rose to their greatest height, lay the Hochberg, a popular +resort for sight-seeing on account of its magnificent views. The old +stone tower upon its summit, the last remnant of an otherwise totally +demolished castle ruin, had been made an object of interest, and at its +foot nestled a little inn, which entertained numerous guests from the +neighborhood. Strangers did not often come into these almost unknown +forest mountains and valleys. Visitors of any sort were somewhat rare +now in the fall, but to-day's beautiful weather had enticed several +people out on the trip. Half an hour ago two gentlemen had arrived on +horseback, attended by a groom, and now a carriage, bringing more +sight-seers, drove up to the inn. + +Upon the flat roof of the tower, near the stone breastwork, stood the +two gentlemen, the younger one zealously occupied in pointing out and +explaining the various points of interest. + +"Yes, our Hochberg is renowned for its views." he said. "I was obliged +to show them to you, Hartmut. Is not the view over this wide, green +forest ocean incomparable?" + +Hartmut did not answer; he seemed to be looking through the glass for +some distant point. + +"Where is Furstenstein? Ah, there. It seems to be an enormous old +structure." + +"Yes, the castle is worth seeing," assented Prince Adelsberg. "But, +outside of that, you were wise to remain at home the other day; I was +bored to death by the visit." + +"So? You seemed to think a great deal of the Chief Forester." + +"Certainly, I like to chat with him; but he had driven out and returned +only just before I left. His son is not at Furstenstein. He is studying +at the school for foresters, so I had to wait upon Fraulein von +Schonan; but that pleasure was not exactly interesting. A word every +five minutes and a minute to every word. Very many domestic virtues, +but very little behind the forehead. I kept the conversation going by +the sweat of my brow, and then had the honor of meeting the betrothed +of the Baroness--a genuine, undiluted country squire, with a very +energetic mamma, who has him and the future daughter-in-law under +complete control. We had an exceedingly brilliant conversation, finally +landing on turnip culture, in which I was thoroughly instructed. The +visit was bearable only when the Chief Forester returned with his +brother-in-law, the Baron Wallmoden." + +Rojanow still held the glass directed upon Furstenstein, listening, +apparently, indifferently. Now he repeated questioningly: "Wallmoden?" + +"The new Prussian Ambassador to our court, a genuine diplomat in +appearance; aristocratic, cool and buttoned up to the chin; also having +very agreeable manners. Her Excellency, the Frau Baroness, was not +visible, which I bore with composure, since the husband already has +gray hair, and consequently the lady would probably be of an age which +one approaches only with veneration." + +A peculiarly bitter expression played around Hartmut's lips as he now +lowered the glass. + +He had kept his encounter with Frau von Wallmoden from his friend. Why +mention the name? He wished to be reminded of it as little as possible. + +"But our romantic forest solitude will soon be ended," continued Egon. +"I heard from the Chief Forester that the court will come to +Furstenstein this year for the hunting season, and I can then expect a +visit from the Duke. I am not very delighted at the prospect, for my +highly honored uncle has a habit of holding forth to me just as +frequent and just as impressive moral sermons as Stadinger, and I must +naturally keep the peace then. But I shall present you at this visit, +Hartmut. You consent?" + +"If you consider it necessary, and the etiquette of your court +allows----" + +"Bah! the etiquette is not so strictly adhered to with us. Besides, the +Rojanows belong to the nobility of your country, do they not?" + +"Certainly." + +"Well, then, you are in every case entitled to the presentation. I +consider it by all means desirable, for I have set my mind on seeing +your 'Arivana' at our Court Theatre; and as soon as the Duke knows you +and your work, that will be done beyond a doubt." + +The words betrayed the passionate admiration the young Prince felt for +his friend; but the latter only shrugged his shoulders slightly. + +"Possibly, particularly if you plead for me; but I do not like to +succeed under protection. I am no poet of renown. Indeed, I'm not sure +whether I am a poet; and if my work cannot smooth a way for itself----" + +"You would be obstinate enough to keep it from publicity; that is like +you. Have you no ambition at all?" + +"Perhaps only too much, and from that arises originally what you call +my obstinacy. I never could bow down and subordinate myself in life. I +could not; my whole nature rose against it, and I am not at all suited +to the ways of your court." + +"Who told you that?" laughed Egon. "They will flatter and spoil you +there, just like everywhere else. It is your nature to rise everywhere +like a meteor, and one does not expect these stars to travel in old +routes. Besides, you have from the start the exceptional position of +guest and foreigner, and when you are once summoned by the halo of +poesy, then----" + +"Then it is with that you intend to keep me here in your country?" + +"Well, then, yes. I do not think that I alone possess the power to keep +you here permanently, you wild, restless guest; but a rising poet's +name is a fetter which one does not slip off so easily, and I have +sworn to myself since this morning not to let you go again at any +price." + +Rojanow started and looked at him inquiringly. + +"Why just since this morning?" + +"That is my secret for the present," said Egon, jestingly. + +"Ah, more guests are coming here, it seems." + +A step was heard upon the narrow, winding stone stairs, and the bearded +face of the tower watchman appeared at the opening which led to the +platform. + +"Please take care, gracious lady," he said, warningly, looking back +with concern; "the last steps are very steep and much worn. So, now we +are at the top." + +He offered a helping hand to the lady who followed him, but she did not +need it, ascending easily with effort. + +"What a beautiful girl!" whispered Prince Adelsberg to his friend, who, +instead of replying, made a deep and formal bow before the lady. She +could not conceal a certain surprise at the sight of him. "Ah, Herr +Rojanow, you here?" + +"I am admiring the view from the Hochberg, which may also have +attracted you, Your Excellency." + +The face of the Prince betrayed boundless astonishment when the +"beautiful girl" was called "Excellency," and when he saw that she was +not a stranger to his friend. He speedily drew near for an introduction +to this acquaintance, and Hartmut could not avoid presenting the Prince +Adelsberg to the Baroness Wallmoden. + +He touched upon the forest encounter very lightly, for the lady found +it convenient to-day to enshroud herself in her haughty reserve. It was +hardly necessary, for Rojanow observed the strictest reticence. Both +seemed decided to treat the acquaintance as a very slight and formal +one. + +Egon had thrown a glance of the liveliest reproach upon his friend. He +could not understand how Hartmut could have kept such a meeting to +himself; but, after that, he cast himself with ardor into the +conversation. He announced himself a neighbor, mentioned his recent +call at Furstenstein, and expressed his regret at having missed Frau +von Wallmoden at that time. A conversation was commenced, in which the +Prince exhibited his amiability and vivacity, while retaining the +reserve of etiquette. He knew from the beginning that he stood before +the wife of the Ambassador, whom one could not approach with a bold +compliment, as Hartmut had ventured. + +Finally his happy, unaffected good humor succeeded in diminishing the +icy atmosphere which surrounded the beautiful woman, and he had the +good fortune of being permitted to show and explain to her the +surrounding country. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI. + + +Hartmut did not join in the conversation with his usual vivacity, and +when he again drew out the glass from his pocket, at the Prince's +request, he suddenly missed his letter-case. + +The watchman offered at once to look for it, but Rojanow declared he +would do it himself. He remembered exactly the place where something +had slipped to the floor when he came up the stairs, which he had not +noticed at the time. It was the letter-case, no doubt, and he would +find it with little trouble and return. Saying which, he bowed and +departed. + +Under other circumstances Egon would doubtless have thought it strange +that his friend should refuse the offer of the old man and take upon +himself the trouble of searching the dark stairway, but he was at +present so totally occupied with his office of explanatory exhibitor +that he did not seem to regret being left alone. + +Frau von Wallmoden had accepted the glass which he offered her and +followed with apparent attention his explanations as he pointed out all +the various heights and villages. + +"And over yonder, behind those hills, lies Rodeck," he concluded; "the +little hunting lodge where we live like two hermits, cut off from all +the world, having only the company of monkeys and parrots, which we +brought from the Orient, and which have already become quite +melancholy." + +"You do not look at all like a hermit, Your Highness," said the young +Baroness, with a fleeting smile. + +"In truth, I have not much taste for it; but at times Hartmut has +perfect attacks of the ailment, and then I bury myself in solitude for +weeks for his pleasure." + +"Hartmut! That is a thoroughly German name, and it is also surprising +that Herr Rojanow speaks German with such fluency and without even a +foreign intonation. Yet he introduced himself to me as a foreigner." + +"Certainly. He comes from Roumania, but was raised by relatives in +Germany, from whom also he may have inherited the German name," said +the Prince, simply. + +It was plainly to be seen that he knew nothing further of the origin of +his friend. "I became acquainted with him at Paris, when I was about to +begin my trip to the East, and he decided to accompany me. It was my +good star of fortune that brought him to me." + +"You seem infatuated with your friend." + +There was something like disapprobation in the tone. + +"Yes, Your Excellency, I am indeed," affirmed Egon, warmly; "and not I +alone. Hartmut is one of those genial natures who conquers and wins +people by storm wherever he appears. You should see and hear him when +he is heart and soul enthusiastic. Then his soul flames like fire into +yours. He envelops everything with his warmth; one has to follow where +his flight leads." + +The enthusiastic eulogy found a very cool listener. The young lady +seemed to bend all her attention upon the landscape, as she replied: +"You may be correct. Herr Rojanow's eyes betray something of it, but +such fiery natures make upon me an impression more uncanny than +sympathetic." + +"Perhaps because they bear the demoniac lines which are peculiar to +genius. Hartmut has them. He startles me sometimes, and yet the dark +depths of his nature draw me irresistibly to him. I have actually +forgotten how to live without him and shall try everything to retain +him in our country." + +"In Germany? You will hardly succeed in that, Your Highness. Herr +Rojanow has a poor opinion of our fatherland. He betrayed that to me +the day before yesterday in rather an offensive way." + +The Prince became attentive. The words at once explained the cold +reserve, which was not usually Hartmut's manner toward a beautiful +woman, and which had surprised him at the first moment. But he smiled. + +"Ah, that was the reason why he did not speak of the encounter. Your +Excellency has probably shown him your displeasure. It serves him +right. Why does he prevaricate with such persistency? He has irritated +me often enough with this assumed depreciation, which I accepted then +in good faith; but I know better now." + +"You do not believe in it?" Adelaide suddenly turned from the view to +the speaker. + +"No, I have the proof of it in my hands. He is infatuated with our +German land. You look at me incredulously, Your Excellency. May I +impart a secret to you?" + +"Well?" + +"I was looking for Hartmut this morning in his room, but did not find +him, I found, instead, a poem upon his desk, which he had probably +forgotten to lock up, for it was surely not intended for my eyes. I +stole it, without any compunction of conscience, and carry the spoils +still with me. Will you permit me to read it?" + +"I do not understand the Roumanian language," said Frau von Wallmoden, +with cool satire. "Herr Rojanow has scarcely condescended to compose a +poem in German." + +Instead of answering, Egon drew out the paper and opened it. "You are +prejudiced against my friend; I see it. But I do not like you to regard +him in the wrong light in which he has placed himself. May I justify +him with his own words?" + +"If you please." + +The words sounded indifferent, and yet Adelaide's gaze was riveted with +a strange expectancy upon the paper, which seemed to contain only a few +hastily written stanzas. Egon read. + +They were German verses, indeed; but of a perfection and harmony which +could belong only to a master of the language. The pictures they +conjured up before the listener were strangely familiar. Deep, dreamy +forest solitude, touched by the first breath of approaching autumn; +endless green depths which beckoned and charmed irresistibly with their +twilight shadows; aromatic meadows flooded with sunlight; small, still +waters, which gleamed in the distance, and the foaming forest brook +roaring down from the heights. + +And this picture had taken on life and language. That which whispered +in it was the old, old song of the forest itself; its murmuring and +rustling--its mysterious working gathered into words which enchanted +the ear of the listener like melody, while through it all floated and +moaned a deep, unspeakable longing for this forest peace. + +The Prince read warmly at first, then with great enthusiasm. Now he +dropped the sheet and asked triumphantly: + +"Well?" + +The young Baroness had listened spellbound. She did not look at the +reader, but stared motionless into the blue distance. At the question +she started slightly and hastily turned. + +"What did you say, Your Highness?" + +"Is this the language of a depredator of our fatherland? I believe +not," said Egon in most decided tones, but greatly as he was engrossed +with his friend's poetry, he could still notice how exceptionally +beautiful Frau von Wallmoden looked at this moment. + +Of course, it must have been the setting sun which lent the rosy +coloring to her face and the brilliancy to her eyes, for her bearing +was as cold as her answer. + +"It is really surprising that a foreigner should command the German +language so perfectly." + +Egon looked at her in amazement. Was this all? He had expected a +different impression. "And what do you think of the poem itself?" he +asked. + +"Quite excellent. Herr Rojanow seems indeed to possess much poetic +talent. But here is your glass, Your Highness. I thank you. I must be +thinking of the descent now, as I do not wish to keep my husband +waiting too long." + +Egon folded up the paper slowly and deposited it in his breast pocket. +He felt the icy breath now surround again the beautiful woman, which +chilled him to the heart. + +"I already have the honor of an acquaintance with His Excellency," he +said. "May I renew it today?" + +A slight bow gave the permission to accompany her. They left the +platform, but the Prince had grown somewhat monosyllabic. He felt +offended for his friend, and now regretted having given this poetry, +the beauty of which carried him away, to a lady who had no +understanding of, nor appreciation whatever for, poetry. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII. + + +Hartmut descended the stairs slowly after his leave-taking, the lost +letter-case resting safely in its usual place. It had served its +purpose as a pretext to free its possessor a little while. + +Adelaide von Wallmoden had casually mentioned having come with her +husband, who remained down at the inn because he disliked the +troublesome climbing of the steep stairs. + +Hartmut could not therefore evade a meeting with him, but it should at +least take place without witnesses. If Wallmoden should recognize the +son of his friend, whom he had known only as a boy, he might not be +able to master his surprise. + +Hartmut did not fear this meeting, even if it were inconvenient and +uncomfortable to him. There was but one face in the whole world he +feared--only one face to which he would not dare lift his eyes--and +that face was far away; probably he would never see it again. Every one +else he met with the proud defiance of a man who had only done right in +withdrawing from a hated vocation. + +He was decided upon not permitting any expression of reproach, but, if +he should be recognized, to request the Ambassador in the most decided +manner to consider certain old connections, with which he had so +totally broken, as no longer existing. With this conclusion he emerged +into the open air. + +Herbert Wallmoden sat with his sister upon the little veranda of the +inn. The Chief Forester had been too much occupied with the approaching +arrival of the court, the hunting expeditions of which he had to +arrange, to accompany the party. The betrothed couple had also remained +at home; but the day for the little trip could not have been more +pleasant. + +"This Hochberg is really worth seeing," said Frau von Eschenhagen, her +eyes roaming over the country. "We have almost the same view here as +upon the top of the tower. Why climb and overheat oneself and lose +one's breath on those never-ending steps?" + +"Adelaide was of a different opinion," replied Wallmoden, with a casual +glance at the tower. "She does not know fatigue nor how to get +overheated." + +"And also how not to catch cold. She proved that the day before +yesterday, when she came home drenched through. She did not catch the +least cold." + +"Nevertheless, I have requested her to take an escort for her future +walks," said the Ambassador, calmly. "To get lost in the forest, wade a +creek, and be guided to the right path by the first hunter one comes +across are things which must not occur again. Adelaide agreed with me +and promised immediately to obey my wishes." + +"Yes, she is a sensible woman, a thoroughly healthy nature from which +anything romantic or adventurous is far removed," complimented Regine. +"But there seem to be more visitors upon the tower. I thought we should +be the only guests to-day." + +Wallmoden looked indifferently at the tall, slender gentleman who now +emerged from the small tower door and walked toward the inn. Frau von +Eschenhagen also looked at him carelessly; but suddenly her glance grew +keener, and she started. + +"Herbert--look!" + +"Where?" + +"That stranger there. What a strange resemblance!" + +"To whom?" asked Herbert, growing more attentive and looking sharply at +the stranger. + +"To--impossible! That is not only a resemblance. It is he himself." + +She sprang up, pale with excitement, and her look fastened itself upon +the features of the man just now putting his foot upon the first step +of the veranda. She met his eyes, those dark, glowing eyes, which had +so often shone upon her from the face of the boy, and the last doubt +disappeared. + +"Hartmut--Hartmut Falkenried--you----" + +She was suddenly silenced by Wallmoden's laying his hand heavily upon +her arm and saying slowly, but with emphasis: "You are mistaken, +Regine. We do not know this gentleman." + +Hartmut stopped short when he caught sight of Frau von Eschenhagen, who +had been hidden by the foliage. He was not prepared for her presence. +At the moment he recognized her the words of the Ambassador reached his +ear. He knew that icy tone only too well; it forced the blood to his +brow. + +"Herbert!" Regine looked doubtingly at her brother, who still held her +by the arm. + +"We do not know him," he repeated in the same tone. + +"Is it possible that I have to tell you that, Regine?" + +She understood now his meaning. With a half threatening, half painful +glance, she turned her back upon the son of her friend and said, with +deep bitterness: + +"You are right. I was mistaken." + +Hartmut started, and in rising anger he drew a step nearer. + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"Did you speak to me?" The tone was as stinging and scornful as before. + +"You have anticipated my wishes, Your Excellency," said Hartmut, +forcing himself to be calm. "I wished to ask you not to recognize me. +We are strangers to each other." + +He turned and walked off defiantly, tall and erect, and entered the +house by another door. + +Wallmoden looked after him with darkened brow. Then he turned to his +sister. + +"Could you not control yourself better, Regine? Why have a scene at +such a meeting? This Hartmut does not exist any longer for us." + +Regine's face betrayed only too well how much this encounter had +shocked her. Her lips still quivered as she replied: + +"I am no practiced diplomat like you, Herbert. I have not learned to be +still when one whom I thought dead or ruined suddenly appears before +me." + +"Dead? that was hardly to be expected at his age. Ruined, corrupted? +that might be nearer it. His life up to the present moment has lain in +that direction." + +"Do you know about it?" Frau von Eschenhagen started with surprise. "Do +you know of his life?" + +"Partly. Falkenried was too much my friend for me not to investigate +what became of his son. Of course, I was silent to him as well as you +concerning it; but as soon as I had returned to my office that time, I +used our diplomatic relations, which reach everywhere, to inquire about +it." + +"Well, what did you learn?" + +"Principally only that which was to be expected. Zalika had turned her +steps directly homeward with her son. You know that her stepfather--our +cousin Wallmoden--was already dead when she returned to her mother +after the divorce. The connections on our side were thereby broken off, +but I learned that shortly before Zalika's reappearance in Germany she +had come into the possession of the Rojanow estates." + +"Zalika? Did she not have a brother?" + +"Yes, he had charge of the estates for ten years, but died, unmarried, +from an accident while hunting, and, since his mother's second +marriage had resulted in no descendant, Zalika entered now upon the +inheritance--at least in name--for through the reckless management of +the Bojar, the most of it belonged to the Jews. Nevertheless, she now +felt herself master, and planned the _coup_ of getting possession of +her son. The old, wild life was then continued upon the estates for a +few years, with senseless management, until everything was gone. Then +mother and son, like a couple of gypsies, went out into the wide +world." + +Wallmoden narrated this with the same cold contempt which he had shown +to Hartmut, and the same horror and aversion were pictured in the face +of his sister--that strictly duteous and moral lady. Nevertheless, a +certain degree of sympathy was in her voice as she asked: "And you have +not heard anything of them since?" + +"Yes, several times. A casual mention of the name led me to the track. +While I was at the embassy at Florence, they were in Rome; a few years +later they appeared in Paris, and there I heard of the death of Frau +Zalika Rojanow." + +"So she is dead," said Frau von Eschenhagen, in a low voice. "What do +you think they have lived on all these years?" + +Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders. + +"What do all adventurers who wander homeless over the world live on? +They may perhaps have saved something from the wreck, perhaps not. At +any rate, they visited all the salons in Paris and Rome. A woman like +Zalika finds help and protection everywhere. She had the title of +nobility as daughter of a Bojar, and the forced sale of the Roumania +property was probably not known, so it played a prominent part in their +success. Society opens its doors only too quickly to this element if it +knows how to keep up appearances, which seems to have been the case +here. By what means, that, of course, is another question." + +"But Hartmut, whom she forcibly carried into such a life--what of him?" + +"An adventurer--what else?" said the Ambassador, with intense +harshness. "He always had an inclination that way; he will have +developed finely in such a school. I have not heard anything of him +since the death of his mother, three years ago." + +"And you kept it a secret from me?" said Regine, reproachfully. + +"I wished to spare you. You had taken this scoundrel--this Hartmut--too +much into your heart. I was afraid you might be carried away in a hint +to Falkenried." + +"You took unnecessary pains. I have ventured but once to speak of +the past to Falkenried. He looked at me--I shall never forget that +look--and said, with an awful expression: 'My son is dead--you know +that, Regine. Let the dead rest!' I shall certainly not mention that +name to him again." + +"Then I do not need to caution you when you return home," replied +Wallmoden. "But you ought not to speak of it to Willibald, either. His +good nature might play him a trick when he learns that his once great +friend lives in the neighborhood. It is best for him to hear nothing of +it. I shall certainly ignore this _gentleman_ at a possible second +meeting, and Adelaide does not know him at all. She does not even know +that Falkenried had a son." + +He broke off and arose, for his young wife now appeared in the door of +the tower. + +Prince Adelsberg renewed the acquaintance of yesterday and inquired +innocently if his friend, Rojanow, had passed by here. He could not +explain his absence. + +A glance from Wallmoden warned his sister, who was proof this time +against surprise. Wallmoden himself regretted not having seen the +gentleman, and said that he was just about to leave with his wife and +sister, having only awaited the former's return. The order for the +carriage was given at once, to which Egon accompanied them, taking +leave of them with a deep bow, but following the carriage with +attentive eyes. + +Hartmut stood alone at a window of the inn, also observing the +departure. The same ashy paleness again overspread his face, which had +gleamed there at the first mention of the name of Wallmoden; but now it +was the whiteness of a wild anger which almost shocked him. + +He had expected questions and reproaches, which, of course, he had +intended to refute haughtily; but was met instead with a complete +ignoring, which was a deadly insult to his pride. Wallmoden's harsh +warning to his sister, "We do not know him--have I to remind you of +that?" had wrought up his whole being. He felt the annihilation +contained in it. And the woman, who had always shown him a mother's +love--even Frau von Eschenhagen--had joined her brother in turning her +back upon him, as upon a person one is ashamed to have once known. This +was too much. + +"Well, here you are!" Egon's voice came from the door. "You disappeared +as if the earth had swallowed you. Has the unlucky letter-case been +found?" + +Rojanow turned. He was obliged to recall the pretext he had used. + +"Yes, indeed," he answered absently, "it lay upon the stairs." + +"Well, the guide would have found it just as well. Why did you not come +back? Very polite of you to leave Frau von Wallmoden and me without +ceremony. You have not even taken leave of the lady. His Excellency's +highest displeasure is sure to fall upon you." + +"I shall know how to bear the misfortune," said Hartmut, shrugging his +shoulders. + +The Prince drew near and laid his hand jestingly upon his friend's +shoulder. + +"So? It is probably because you fell into disgrace yesterday. It is not +your usual way to run off where the entertainment of a beautiful lady +is concerned. Oh, I know all about it. Her Excellency has given you a +lecture over your loving tirades against Germany, and the spoiled +favorite has been offended. Why, one could afford to be told the truth +by such lips." + +"You seem to be quite transported," sneered Hartmut. "Beware lest the +husband be not jealous in spite of his years." + +"It is a strange couple," said Egon musingly, as if lost in thought; +"that old diplomat, with his gray hair and immovable face, and his +young wife with her brilliant beauty like----" + +"An aurora which rises from a sea of ice. It is only a question of +which stood furthest below zero." + +The young Prince laughed heartily. "Very poetical and very malicious; +but you are not far wrong. I have also felt something of this polar +breath touching me chillingly several times; but that is my luck. +Otherwise I would fall hopelessly in love with the beautiful +Excellency. But I think it is time for us to leave, _nicht wahr?_" + +He went to the door to call the groom. Hartmut following, threw one +more glance out to where, through an opening in the forest, the +Ambassador's carriage was again visible, and his hands clinched +involuntarily. + +"We shall speak yet, Herr Wallmoden," he muttered. "I shall remain now. +He shall not think that I fly from his presence. I shall allow Egon to +present me at court, and exert my utmost to make my work a success. We +shall see then if he dares treat me like a first-class adventurer. He +shall pay for that tone and look!" + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII. + + +Everything at Furstenstein was in a state of preparation for the +arrival of the Court. Their stay was to be of longer duration than for +a short hunting expedition; they were to remain several weeks, for +which time the Duchess also was expected. The upper stories of the +castle, with their numerous suites of rooms, were being aired and put +in order. A portion of the court officials and servants had already +arrived. Extensive and festive preparations were also being made in +Waldhofen, through which the Court was to pass on its way to the +castle. + +Wallmoden's stay, which, under ordinary circumstances, would have been +short, was prolonged. The Duke, who was pleased to distinguish the +Ambassador in every way, had heard of his attending a family fete at +Furstenstein, and had expressed a wish to find him and his wife still +there. The invitation was equivalent to a command which had to be +obeyed. + +Frau von Eschenhagen and her son also wished to remain to look at the +Court in close proximity; and the Chief Forester, who wished to +distinguish himself in the probably extensive hunts, held daily +conferences with the Head Forester and his subordinates, and put the +whole forestry in motion. + +There was much bustle already about the castle. A sound of merry +chattering and clear laughter came from Fraulein von Schonan's room. +Marietta Volkmar had come to her friend for an hour, and as usual there +was no end to the talking and laughing. + +Toni sat near the window, and Willibald, who was acting as guard at his +mother's command, stood beside her. + +Frau von Eschenhagen so far had not had her way about the intercourse +of the two girls. Her brother-in-law had remained obstinate, and even +her future daughter-in-law, usually so compliant, rendered unexpected +resistance when the subject was broached. + +"I cannot, dear Aunt," Toni had answered. "Marietta is so sweet and +good that I cannot offend her so bitterly." + +Sweet and good! Frau Regine shrugged her shoulders over the +inexperience of the young girl, whose eyes she did not wish to open, +but she felt bound to interfere, and concluded to act diplomatically +this time. + +Willibald, accustomed to confess everything to his mother, had narrated +to a fine point the encounter with the young singer. Frau von +Eschenhagen had naturally been beside herself to think that the master +of Burgsdorf should have carried a satchel behind the "theatre +princess!" On the other hand, she heard the description of his horror +upon learning who this lady really was, and his running away, with high +pleasure, and thought it exceedingly praiseworthy that he objected to +the role of guard over the girl. Of course he disliked every touch with +such a person; but since his mother found it beneath her dignity to +attend these meetings, he _must_ protect his bride-elect. + +He was given the curt command to never leave the young ladies alone, +but to report explicitly how this Marietta actually behaved herself. +After the first report, which would undoubtedly be atrocious, Frau +Regine would impress upon her brother-in-law's conscience the frivolous +association he had allowed his child; would call upon her son as +witness, and request emphatically the breaking off of the friendship. + +Willibald had finally consented. He had been present when Fraulein +Volkmar made her first visit to Furstenstein. He had accompanied his +fiancee when she returned the call at Waldhofen, and now stood at his +post to-day. + +Antonie and Marietta talked about the expected arrival of the Court, +and the former, who had but little taste in dress, asked her friend's +advice, which was gladly given. + +"What must you wear? Roses, of course," said Marietta; "white or +delicate-colored ones. They will look lovely with the dainty blue." + +"But I do not like roses," declared Toni. "I intended to wear +asters----" + +"Then why not sunflowers? Do you wish to appear autumnal in spite of +everything, although you are a young girl and a bride-elect? And how +can you help liking roses? I love them passionately and use them at +every opportunity. I wanted so much to wear a rose in my hair at the +Mayor's party to-night, and am quite unhappy because none are to be +found anywhere in Waldhofen. Of course it is late in the season." + +"The gardener has roses in the hothouse," remarked Antonie in the +sleepy manner which was such a sharp contrast to her vivacious friend. + +The latter shook her head laughingly. + +"They are doubtless for the Duchess' use, and we poor mortals dare not +venture to ask for one. What's the use? I must deny myself that +pleasure---- But to return to the dress question. You are quite +superfluous in this, Herr von Eschenhagen. You do not understand a +thing about it and must be bored to death, but in spite of it you do +not waver nor move; besides, what is there so remarkable about me that +you look at me so constantly?" + +The words sounded very ungracious. Willy started, for the last reproach +was well founded. He had been meditating upon how a fresh, half-open +rose would look in the dark, curly locks, and, of course, had to +subject the curls and the head belonging to them to a minute +observation, which his fiancee had passed unnoticed. + +"Yes, Willy, go," she now said good-naturedly. "You must really feel +bored over our dress affairs, and I have much to talk over yet with +Marietta." + +"Just as you wish, dear Toni," returned the young lord; "but may I not +come back?" + +"Of course, as soon as you wish." + +Willibald left the room, not in the least remembering that he was +deserting his post. He was thinking of something quite different as he +stood for a few moments in the little ante-room. In consequence of this +meditation he finally descended the stairs and turned his steps +straight to the house of the castle gardener. + +He had scarcely left when Marietta sprang up and exclaimed with comic +vehemence: "Gracious heavens! what a tiresome couple you are!" + +"But, Marietta----" + +"Yes, whether you are offended or not, I declare it is a sacrifice to +friendship to stand it in your presence, and I had anticipated such a +jolly time when I heard you were engaged. You were never particularly +lively, but your betrothed seems to have lost his speech entirely. How +did you manage to become engaged? Did he actually speak then, or did +his mamma attend to that?" + +"Stop your foolishness," replied Antonie, displeased. "Willy is only so +silent in your presence. He can be quite entertaining when we are +alone." + +"Yes, over the new threshing machine he has bought. When I came I +listened a moment before I entered. He was singing the praise of the +before-mentioned threshing machine, and you were listening attentively. +Oh, you will reign as a model couple, but--may heaven protect me in +mercy from such a marriageable blessing!" + +"You are very naughty. Marietta," said the young Baroness, now really +angry, but her mischievous little friend instantly clung to her neck. + +"Don't be mad, Toni. I do not mean any harm, and wish you happiness +with all my heart, but you see my husband has to be of a different +nature." + +"Ah, and how, pray?" asked Toni, half pouting, half reconciled by the +coaxing plea. + +"First, he has to be under my command, and not under his mother's. +Second, he must be a genuine man in whose protection I feel safe. He +need not talk much--I do that--but he must love me so much--so much +that he will not talk about papa or mamma, or his estates, or the new +threshing machine, but let them all go if only he has--me." + +Toni shrugged her shoulders with compassionate superiority. + +"You have very childish views at times, Marietta--but now let us talk +about the dresses." + +"Yes, we will, before your elect returns and posts himself at our side +like a guard. He has a remarkable talent for mounting guard. Now, you +wear with the blue silk----" + +The pending question was not destined to receive a solution this time, +either, for the door opened and Frau von Eschenhagen entered, calling +for Antonie, whose presence was desired elsewhere. + +Antonie arose obediently and left the room. Frau Regine made no effort +to follow her, but took her vacant seat at the window instead. + +The reigning mistress of Burgsdorf was not diplomatically inclined like +her brother; she had to interfere everywhere with force. She had become +impatient, for Willy had as good as reported nothing. He grew red and +stammered every time he should have repeated what the "theatre +princess" had said and done, and his mother, who would not believe in a +harmless girls' chat, concluded to take the affair in her own hands. + +Marietta had dutifully risen at the entrance of the older lady, whom +she had scarcely seen at the first visit, and whose hostile bearing she +had not observed in the joy of the first meeting. She only thought that +Toni's future mother-in-law had little friendliness about her, but +troubled herself no further about the severe lady who was now measuring +her from head to foot, with the stern mien of a judge. + +In point of fact this Marietta looked just like other young girls, but +she was pretty--very pretty, which was that much worse. She wore her +hair in short curls--that was improper; other bad attributes would +doubtless make their appearance in the conversation which was now +begun. + +"You are a friend of the fiancee of my son?" + +"Yes, gracious lady," was the unembarrassed rejoinder. + +"A friendship which dates from childhood, as you were raised in the +house of Dr. Volkmar?" + +"Certainly; I lost my parents very early." + +"Quite right; my brother-in-law told me so. And to what calling did +your father belong?" + +"He was a physician like my grandpapa," replied Marietta, more amused +than surprised at this examination, the object of which she did not +guess. "My mother was also the daughter of a physician--a whole medical +family, is it not? Only I have taken a different course." + +"Alas, yes," said Frau von Eschenhagen with emphasis. + +The young girl looked at her with surprise. Was that a jest? The mien +of the lady was not at all mirthful, though, as she continued: "You +will admit, my child, that if one has the good fortune to come from an +honorable and respected family, one ought to show oneself worthy of it. +You ought to have chosen your vocation accordingly." + +"Mon Dieu! but I could not study medicine like my father and +grandfather," exclaimed Marietta, breaking into an amused laugh. The +affair gave her endless fun, but the remark displeased her stern judge, +who replied with considerable sharpness: + +"There are, God be thanked, plenty of proper vocations for a young +girl. You are a singer?" + +"Yes, gracious lady, at the Court Theatre." + +"I know it. Are you disposed to accept a dismissal?" + +The question was put so suddenly, in such a domineering tone, that +Marietta involuntarily retreated. + +She was still of the opinion that the lord of Burgsdorf, with his +obstinate silence and stormy leave-taking, was not quite sane, and now +she was struck by the thought that it might be a family failing which +he had inherited from his mother, for it was very apparent that +everything was not quite right with her. + +"A dismissal?" she repeated. "But why?" + +"For the sake of morality. I am willing to offer you a helping hand. +Turn aside from this path of frivolity and I pledge myself to find a +place as companion for you." + +Now at last the young singer comprehended the object of the +conversation. Half angrily and half scornfully she tossed back the +little, curly head. + +"I must thank you for it, but I love my work and cannot think of +exchanging it for a dependent position. I am not fit, anyway, for an +upper maid." + +"I have expected this answer," said Frau von Eschenhagen with a grim +nod of the head, "but I consider it my duty to once more appeal to your +conscience. You are still very young and are therefore not responsible +to a great extent for it; the heaviest reproach falls on Doctor +Volkmar, who allowed the daughter of his son to accept such a calling." + +"Gracious lady, I must beg you to leave my grandfather entirely out of +the question," cried Marietta indignantly. "You are Toni's future +mother-in-law--otherwise I should not have stood this examination--but +I will not suffer an insult to my grandfather from anybody on the +earth." + +In their excitement the two ladies had not noticed that the door +leading to the ante-room had opened quietly, and that Willibald had +appeared. He was much surprised when he saw his mother, and hastily +thrust in his pocket something that he carried carefully wrapped in +paper, but he remained standing in the door. + +"I do not intend to argue with you," said Frau von Eschenhagen in lofty +tones, "but since I am Toni's future mother-in-law, I have the right to +warn her of a friendship which does not seem proper to me. Pray do not +misunderstand me. I am not haughty. The granddaughter of Dr. Volkmar +would be quite welcome to a continuance of friendship, but a lady from +a theatre probably has all of her connections in theatrical circles, +and here at Furstenstein---- I hope you understand me?" + +"Oh, yes, I understand you, gracious lady," cried Marietta, whose face +was suddenly suffused by a deep blush. "You do not need to say anything +more. I ask but for one more word. Is Herr von Schonan--is Antonie--of +the same opinion as yourself?" + +"Chiefly so as to the matter of it, but, of course, they do not +wish--with explanations--to----" A very graphic shrug finished the +sentence. + +The otherwise just and truth-loving woman did not even feel that she +was plainly telling an untruth. So taken up with her idea was she that +she was firmly convinced that the Chief Forester kept up the +intercourse only through a spirit of spite, and Antonie through her +good nature, although it must be uncomfortable to them, and she was +firmly decided to bring this thing to an end. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX. + + +But something unexpected happened now. Willibald, who still stood upon +the threshold, advanced into the room and exclaimed, half entreatingly, +half reproachfully: "But, mamma!" + +"Is it you, Willy? What do you want here?" demanded Frau von +Eschenhagen, noticing him for the first time, and to whom the +interruption was very unwelcome. + +Willibald saw very well that his mother was very ungraciously inclined, +and was accustomed always to retreat when he found her in that mood, +but today, with unusual courage, he remained. He drew nearer and +repeated, "But, mamma, I beg of you--Toni has never thought of Fraulein +Volkmar's----" + +"How dare you! do you wish to accuse me of an untruth?" the angered +mother flamed. "What is it to you that I speak with Fraulein Volkmar? +Your fiancee is not here--you see that--therefore leave us!" + +The young lord grew darkly red at this tone, to which he was +accustomed; he seemed to feel shame at the treatment because of the +young girl, and looked as if he would offer some resistance, but at a +threatening, "Well, did you not hear?" the old habit conquered. He +turned hesitatingly and actually left the room, but the door remained +slightly ajar. + +Marietta looked after him with scornfully curled lips, then turned to +her opponent. + +"You may rest assured, gracious lady, that I have come to Furstenstein +for the last time. As the Chief Forester received me with his usual +cordiality, and Antonie with the old affection, I did not comprehend +that I now bear a stain in their eyes. I certainly would not have made +myself troublesome otherwise. It shall not happen again--no, never!" + +Her voice faltered; with effort she suppressed the tears, but they +trembled bitterly and plaintively around the little mouth, and Frau von +Eschenhagen felt that she had gone too far in her management of the +case. + +"I did not wish to offend you," she said soothingly. "I only intended +to make clear to you----" + +"You did not wish to offend me and yet tell me such things," +interrupted the young girl in an outburst of anger. "You treat me like +an outcast, who should not dare to approach decent circles, because I +earn my living, and give pleasure to mankind with a gift which God has +given me. You abuse my good, dear old grandfather, who has made such +painful sacrifices for my education, who has let me go into the world +with such a heavy heart. Bitter tears stood in his eyes when he drew +me once more into his arms at parting and said: 'Remain good, my +Marietta--one can be good in every position. I can leave you nothing. +If I should close my eyes in death to-day or to-morrow you would have +to struggle for yourself.' And I have remained good, and I will remain +good, even if it is not made easy for me as it is for Toni, who is the +daughter of a rich father, and only leaves her paternal home to go to +the home of her husband. But I do not envy her the good fortune of +calling you mother." + +"Fraulein Volkmar, you forget yourself," cried Regine, highly offended, +rising to her fullest height; but Marietta was not intimidated, she +only grew more excited. + +"Oh, no; it is not I who forget myself. You are the one--you who +insult me without cause, and I know that the Chief Forester and Antonie +are under your influence if they turn from me. Nevertheless, I do not +want any kindness nor friendship which cannot stand more firmly, +and I am done with a friend who gives me up at the request of her +mother-in-law--done with her once for all. Tell her so, Frau von +Eschenhagen." + +She turned and left the room with a stormy gesture, but in the +ante-room the carefully preserved composure gave way; pain overcame +anger, and the bravely suppressed tears burst forth hotly. The young +girl leaned her head against the wall in passionate, bitter sobbing +over the insult. + +Hearing her name called in a low, timid voice, she looked up and saw +Willibald von Eschenhagen standing before her, holding out the paper +which he had dropped so hastily into his pocket. It was folded back +now, and disclosed a rose branch, bearing a wonderfully beautiful and +fragrant blossom with two half-open buds. + +"Fraulein Volkmar," he repeated, stammering, "you wished a rose--please +accept----" + +Mute apology for his mother's rudeness could be plainly seen in his +eyes and his whole bearing. Marietta suppressed her sobs, but the tears +still glistened in the dark eyes, which looked at him with an +inexpressibly contemptuous expression. + +"No, I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen," she replied sharply. "You have +probably heard what has been said in there and have also probably +received a command to shun me. Why do you not obey?" + +"My mother has done you wrong," Willibald said half aloud, "and she +also spoke without the knowledge of the others. Toni does not know +anything about it, believe me----" + +"So you knew that and did not offer a word of contradiction!" the girl +interrupted, scarlet with anger. "You listened to your mother insulting +and offending a defenseless girl and did not have chivalry enough to +oppose it! Oh, yes, you tried it, but were scolded and sent off like a +schoolboy and--bore it meekly!" + +Willibald stood there as if thunderstruck. He had, indeed, felt the +injustice of his mother deeply, and wished to make it good to the best +of his ability, and now he was treated like this! He stared at Marietta +in deep perplexity, while she only grew angrier at his silence. + +"And now you come and bring me flowers," she continued, with increasing +passion, "secretly--behind your mother's back, and think that I will +accept such an apology! You would better learn first how a _man_ +deports himself when he is witness to such injustice. But now--now I +will show you what I think of your present and of you!" + +She tore the paper with its contents out of his hand, threw it on the +ground, and in the next second her little foot stamped upon the +fragrant blossoms. + +"My, Fraulein----" Willibald wavered between shame and indignation, but +a stern glance from the hitherto saucy eyes silenced him, and the poor +roses were finished by a push from the small foot. + +"So--now we are at the end. If Toni really knows nothing of this affair +I shall be sorry, but in spite of it I must remain away in the future, +for I will not expose myself to fresh insults. May she be happy. I +could not be in her place. I am a poor girl, but I would not accept a +man who is still afraid of his mother's switch--no, not if he were ten +times lord of Burgsdorf!" + +With which she disappeared, and left the poor lord standing alone. + +"Willy, what does this mean?" demanded the voice of Frau von +Eschenhagen, who appeared in the door. As no reply came, she approached +her son with threatening mien. + +"It was certainly a strange scene which I had to look upon. Will you be +so good as to explain what it really meant? That little thing actually +glared with anger and said the most impertinent things to your face, +and you stood there like a sheep, without defending yourself." + +"Because she was right," murmured Willibald, still looking at the +roses. + +"She was what?" demanded the mother, who could not believe that she had +heard aright. + +The young lord raised his head and looked at her. He had a peculiar +expression on his face. + +"She was right, I say, mamma. It is true, you have treated me like a +schoolboy. I ought not to have submitted to it." + +"Boy, I believe you are not in your senses," said Frau Regine, but +Willibald started in irritation: + +"I am no boy. I am lord of Burgsdorf and twenty-seven years old. You +forget that always, mamma, and I have forgotten it always--but now I +recall it." + +Frau von Eschenhagen looked with boundless astonishment at her hitherto +obedient son, who was now suddenly making resistance. + +"I actually believe you would like to be rebellious, my boy. Do not +try; you know I will not permit it. What possesses you suddenly to be +so arbitrary? While I try to end a highly improper intercourse and put +aside this Marietta, you go and, behind my back, actually offer an +apology for it--even offer her the roses which you had intended for +your betrothed. Although I do not know how you came to do it, it is the +first time in your life--but Toni will not thank you for it. It served +you right that the little witch crushed them. You will leave such +foolishness alone in the future." + +She scolded him in the usual tone without taking any notice of his +rebellion, but Willibald took it wrongly this time. He who had but ten +minutes before hidden the flowers in his pocket with fear now had a +touch of heroism. Instead of leaving his mother in her belief and +hushing the dangerous storm, he positively challenged it. + +"The roses were not destined for Toni at all, but for Fraulein +Volkmar," he explained defiantly. + +"For----" the word choked the terror-stricken woman. + +"For Marietta Volkmar! She wanted to wear a rose in her hair to-night, +and since there were none to be had in Waldhofen, I went to the castle +gardener and got those flowers. Now you know it all, mamma." + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood there like a pillar of salt. She had turned +ashy pale, for suddenly a light had dawned upon her, but it showed her +something so awful that she lost both speech and motion for a while. + +But her old fire returned. She grasped her son's arm as if she meant to +have him in any case and said curtly: + +"Willy--we leave to-morrow." + +"Leave!" he repeated. "For where?" + +"Home. We depart to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock, so that we can catch +the fast train and arrive at Burgsdorf the day after to-morrow. Go +immediately to your room and pack." + +But the commanding tone made no impression whatever on Willy this time. + +"I shall not pack," he declared sullenly. + +"You shall pack. I command you." + +"No," defied the young lord. "If you want to leave so badly, mamma, you +can leave--I remain here." + +This was unheard of, but it dispelled the last doubt and the energetic +woman, who still held her son in her grasp, now shook him fiercely. + +"Boy, wake up! Come to your senses! I believe you do not know what is +the matter with you. I will tell you then. You are in love--in love +with this Marietta Volkmar." + +She threw the last words at him with annihilating emphasis, but +Willibald was not in the least annihilated. He stood quite still from +surprise for a moment. He had not thought of that, but now it began to +dawn upon him. + +"Oh," he said with a deep sigh, and something like a smile flitted over +his features. + +"'Oh!' is that your whole answer?" burst forth the enraged mother, who +had hoped for a denial. "You do not even deny it? And I have to live to +see that in my own son whom I have raised--who has never been allowed +to leave my side! While I put you there as a guard during those +previous visits to your fiancee she bewitches you--that is plain--and +even plays the virtuous, deeply offended one before you--this----" + +"Mamma, stop; I cannot allow it," interrupted Willibald, irritated +beyond silence. + +"You cannot allow it? What does it mean----" Frau von Eschenhagen +suddenly paused and looked toward the door, listening. "Toni is +returning, there--your betrothed, to whom you have pledged your word, +who wears your ring. How will you account to her?" + +She had finally struck the right chord. The young lord started at this +thought and bowed his head mutely when Antonie entered, quite +unconcerned. + +"You have returned already, Willy?" she asked. "I thought--but what is +it? Has anything happened?" + +"Yes," answered Frau Regine, grasping the reins, as usual, decisively. +"We have just received a communication from Burgsdorf which forces us +to depart to-morrow morning. You need not be frightened, my child, it +is nothing dangerous--only a foolishness"--she laid sharp emphasis on +the word--"a foolishness which has been committed, but which will be +removed just as speedily by quick interference. I will tell you all +about it later, but for the present nothing can be done but by our +departure." + +Curiosity was not one of Antonie's faults, and even this quite +unexpected news was not able to ruffle her composure. The statement +that nothing serious was concerned satisfied her entirely. + +"Must Willy leave also?" she asked without particular enthusiasm. +"Cannot he at least remain?" + +"Answer your fiancee yourself, Willy," said Frau von Eschenhagen, +fixing her sharp, gray eyes upon her son. "You know best what the +circumstances are. Can you really consent to stay here?" + +A short pause. Willibald's glance met his mother's; then he turned away +and said in a suppressed voice, "No, Toni, I must go home--nothing else +is possible." + +Toni accepted the decision, which would have pained another girl +deeply, with moderate regret, and began to inquire directly where the +travelers would dine to-morrow, since the fast train had no stoppage +anywhere. This seemed to grieve her as much as the separation, but she +finally concluded that it would be best for them to take a lunch along +to eat on the train. + +Frau von Eschenhagen felt triumphant when she went to her +brother-in-law to notify him of their departure, for which she had +already found a pretext. + +Many a thing could happen on the large estates to afford an +explanation. + +Naturally, the Chief Forester must not learn the truth any more than +his daughter, although he had caused the whole trouble in his +blindness. + +Regine did not doubt in the least that as soon as she removed her Willy +from the fascinating circle of this "witch" he would return to reason. +Had he not shown it just now? + +She would not see that honor toward his betrothed alone had conquered, +and that it had been a terrible mistake to expose his feelings to +another. + +"Wait, my boy," she muttered grimly. "I will teach you to commence such +things, and to rebel against your mother. When once I have you at +Burgsdorf, may God have mercy on you!" + + + + + CHAPTER XX. + + +On the appointed day the Duke, with the Duchess and a numerous suite, +arrived at Furstenstein, and the life full of splendor which had been +led in former times began again in the wide, beautiful hunting grounds +of the Wald. + +The present sovereign was no ardent huntsman, and the hunting lodge of +his ancestors had stood deserted for years, or was occupied only at +long intervals for a brief visit. Now, when a prolonged stay was +anticipated, the spacious castle scarce afforded room enough for the +guests; a part of them were quartered in neighboring Waldhofen, which +made the little town, as well as the entire vicinity, very festive in +joyful excitement. + +The owners of the neighboring castles and villas, who, like Prince +Adelsberg, belonged to the best families of the land, were induced by +the arrival of the Court to take up their fall quarters there, too. +Nearly everybody had brought numerous guests, and so an unusual life +and bustle developed in the silent Wald, the centre of which activity +being, of course, Furstenstein. + +The castle shone to-night in fullest splendor; every window of the +upper floor was lighted, and in the court torches threw their red light +upon the walls and towers gray with age. + +It was the occasion of the first large fete since the arrival of the +princely family, to which were asked all the nobility of the +neighborhood, the higher officials of the district, and, in short, +everybody who had any claim upon their sovereign's notice. + +The castle, which was built in a grand style, contained a number of +gorgeous rooms of state, which, with their old-fashioned but costly +furnishings, and the brilliant company moving through them, afforded a +decidedly splendid spectacle. + +The young wife of the Prussian Ambassador was a new star among the +ladies present. Mourning for her father, who had died shortly after her +marriage, had kept her from all festivities, and she entered to-day for +the first time this brilliant circle, where the position of her husband +assured her a prominent place, and where she was being treated by the +Duke and Duchess with noticeable distinction. + +The rising of this new star was noticed by the ladies, of course, with +some displeasure. They found Frau von Wallmoden very haughty in her +cool composure, and that she had very little occasion for such bearing; +for, of course, they all knew that she was a born burgher, who did not +properly belong in this circle, even if her father's wealth and his +prominent position with the industries of the country gave her a +certain distinction. Nevertheless, she moved upon the foreign soil with +a strange ease--the husband must have schooled her well for this first +appearance. + +The gentlemen were of a different opinion. They found that His +Excellency the Ambassador had proved his talent most strikingly in his +own cause. He who already stood upon the border of old age had +understood how to gain, with the hand of this young, beautiful wife, a +fortune extensive enough in itself, but magnified by rumor into the +immeasurable. For this he was envied on all sides. + +Wallmoden did not seem at all surprised at the impression which the +beauty and stateliness of his wife too apparently caused, but accepted +it as something natural. He had expected nothing else; the contrary +would have surprised him in the highest degree. + +At present he was standing in a window recess with his brother-in-law, +the Chief Forester, and after exchanging a few indifferent remarks +about the fete and the guests, he asked casually: "What sort of person +is that whom Prince Adelsberg has introduced? Do you know him?" + +"You mean the young Roumanian?" said Schonan. "No; I see him to-day for +the first time, but have heard of him before. He is the bosom friend of +the Prince, whom he accompanied upon his Eastern travels, and a young +man handsome as a picture--his eyes positively sparkle with fire." + +"He impresses me as an adventurer," remarked Wallmoden coldly. "How +does he happen to have an invitation? Has he been presented to the +Duke?" + +"Yes, at Rodeck, if I am not mistaken; the Duke was there recently. +Prince Adelsberg loves to throw etiquette aside as much as possible. +But this invitation to-day signifies no acceptance, since everybody has +been asked." + +The Ambassador shrugged his shoulders. + +"Nevertheless, one should hesitate about bringing such elements near +one before they come well recommended." + +"Everything must be certified to with letter and seal with you +diplomats," laughed the Chief. "This Rojanow has certainly something +aristocratic about him, and one is never so strict, anyway, with a +foreigner. I can well understand that our sovereigns like to hear and +see something different from the usual court circle, which presents the +same old tiresome face from year to year. The Duke appears to be quite +captivated already with the Roumanian." + +"Yes, it seems so," muttered Wallmoden, upon whose brow a cloud +gathered. + +"But why should this concern us?" remarked Schonan. "I will go now and +look for Toni, who has to appear now everywhere without her betrothed. +That was another notion of Regine's. She departed from us with her son +like a skyrocket. Your sister cannot be detained as soon as the beloved +Burgsdorf is brought into question. If she had only left Willy with us! +Everybody wonders that my future son-in-law should take his departure +before the fete. I cannot understand it at all." + +"A stroke of good fortune that they are gone," thought Wallmoden, as +his brother-in-law left him. "If Willibald had met his former friend +and playmate here unexpectedly another scene similar to that upon the +Hochberg might have occurred. But who would have thought that Hartmut +would carry his defiance so far as to appear in a circle where he was +sure to meet the Ambassador?" + +Prince Adelsberg, who held in this circle one of the highest positions +through his name and relationship to the reigning house, had, indeed, +succeeded with the presentation of his friend, and the Duke seemed to +have had a very favorable opinion of him from the first meeting at +Rodeck, for he now himself presented this young stranger to the +Duchess. + +This Rojanow, with the captivating charm of his personality and the +foreign air which surrounded him, was, indeed, an extraordinary person, +who had only to appear to cause general observation. + +To-day he displayed lavishly all the brilliant attributes which were at +his command. His conversation sparkled with life and spirit, his fiery +temperament, which betrayed itself involuntarily, gave to everything he +said and did a peculiar charm, while he proved himself in every respect +master of society forms and customs. In short, the prophecy of the +Prince was fulfilled. + +Hartmut knew how to conquer everybody here by storm, and had hardly put +his foot upon the soil when he reigned there by the power of his +magnetism. + +This could not pass unnoticed by the Ambassador, even if he did not +come into direct contact with the Roumanian. It was not difficult to +evade each other in the throng of guests, and a meeting was not desired +on either side. + +Wallmoden walked through a side room, where the Duke's sister, the +Princess Sophie, had gathered a large circle around her. + +The Princess, who had married the younger son of a princely house, had +very early become a widow, and had lived since then at the court of her +brother, where she was not in the least popular. While the Duchess +charmed everybody who came into her presence by her grace and kindness, +the older sister was considered haughty and _intriguante_. Everybody +stood in fear of the lady's sharp tongue, which had a habit of saying +something disagreeable to each and every one. + +Herr von Wallmoden did not escape this fate. He was graciously beckoned +to and received flatteries on the beauty of his wife, which was not to +be denied. + +"I offer you my congratulations, Your Excellency. I was quite surprised +when your young wife was presented to me, for I had naturally expected +to see an elderly lady." + +The "naturally" sounded very malicious, for Princess Sophie had known +for months that the wife of the Prussian Ambassador was only nineteen +years old, but he smiled in the most amiable way as he replied: "Your +Highness is very gracious. I can only be grateful that my wife has had +the good fortune to make a favorable impression upon you." + +"Oh, you cannot doubt it. The Duke and Duchess are quite of my opinion. +Frau von Wallmoden is really a beauty--Prince Adelsberg seems to think +so, too. Perhaps you have not observed as yet how very much he admires +your wife?" + +"Yes, Your Highness, I have observed it." + +"Really? And what do you say to it?" + +"I?" inquired Wallmoden with perfect tranquillity. "It rests solely +with my wife as to whether she will permit the admiration of the +Prince. If she finds pleasure in it---- I do not give her any rules in +this respect." + +"An enviable confidence which our young gentlemen ought to pattern +after," said the Princess, vexed that the arrow had missed its aim. "It +is surely very agreeable to a young wife if the husband is not jealous. +Ah, there is Frau von Wallmoden herself, with her cavalier, of course, +at her side. My dear Baroness, we were just speaking of you." + + + + + CHAPTER XXI. + + +Adelaide von Wallmoden, who had just entered in company with Prince +Adelsberg, bowed her recognition of the Princess' notice. + +She made, indeed, a brilliant picture to-night, for the splendid court +toilet enhanced her beauty triumphantly. The costly brocade of the +white dress, which fell to her feet in heavy folds, suited the slender +figure admirably. The pearls encircling her throat and the diamonds +which sparkled in her blond hair were perhaps the most costly of any +worn to-night; but more sharply than ever appeared the cold and serious +expression of the young wife. She did not in the least resemble others +of her age who were also married, but who claimed the right of youth to +dress in dainty laces and flowers. She possessed nothing of their +brightness--the urbane amiability which was so fully brought to view in +them. The severe, serious expression which was an inheritance from her +father, and so indelibly stamped in her nature, betrayed itself in her +character. + +Egon kissed his exalted aunt's hand, and had been honored with a few +gracious words, but from the first, the amiable attention of Her +Highness was quite taken up by the young Baroness, who was immediately +drawn into conversation. + +"I was just expressing my pleasure to His Excellency that you find +yourself so quickly at home in our court circle, dear Baroness. You +enter these circles to-day for the first time, if I understand aright, +and have lived hitherto in entirely different surroundings. You were +born a----" + +"Stahlberg, Your Highness," was the calm rejoinder. + +"Quite right. I remember the name, which has been spoken several times +in my presence. It is honorably known in your native town, I presume." + +"Most gracious aunt, you must permit me to inform you better," joined +in Prince Adelsberg, who seldom permitted an opportunity of vexing his +most gracious aunt to pass by. "The factories of Stahlberg are +world-renowned. They are as well known across the ocean as they are +here. I had an opportunity to learn all about them when I was in +Northern Germany several years ago, and I can assure you that those +works those iron foundries and factories, with their colonies of +officers and their army of workmen, can well vie with many a small +principality, whose sovereign, though, is not such an absolute ruler as +was the father of Her Excellency." + +The Princess cast anything but a friendly glance at her nephew; his +interference was not desired. + +"Indeed! I had no idea of such magnificence," she said in her most +caustic tone. "We may, perhaps, then greet His Excellency as such a +ruler?" + +"Only as administrator, Your Highness," rejoined the Ambassador. "I am +only the executor of my father-in-law's will, and guardian of my young +brother-in-law, to whom the works will go when he attains his +majority." + +"Ah, so? The son will probably know how to keep the inheritance. It is +really astonishing what the energy of a single man can do in these +days, and it is so much more praiseworthy if he, like the father of our +dear Baroness, has come from humble circles. At least I believe I have +heard so, or am I mistaken?" + +Princess Sophie knew very well that these remarks about the origin of +his father-in-law were unpleasant to the Ambassador, a man of old +Prussian nobility, and it caused her great satisfaction that the +surrounding circle did not lose a word of the conversation, which was +intended principally to humble the lady of burgher descent. + +But she was mistaken if she counted upon the Baroness falling into +embarrassment or evasion. Instead of that she drew herself up in all +her pride. + +"Your Highness is quite correctly informed. My father came to the +Capital a poor boy without means. He had to struggle hard, and worked +for years as a humble laborer, before he laid the foundation to his +later enterprises." + +"How proudly Frau von Wallmoden says that!" cried the Princess, +smiling. "Oh, I love this filial attachment above everything. So Herr +Stahlberg--or perhaps _von_ Stahlberg?--the large manufacturers often +bear a title----" + +"My father did not bear it, Your Highness," replied Adelaide, meeting +the glance of the royal lady calmly and openly. "A title had indeed +been offered him, but he refused it." + +The Ambassador pressed his thin lips together. He could but find the +remark of his wife very undiplomatic. The features of the Princess +assumed an angry expression, and she returned with biting sarcasm: +"Well, then, it is a good thing that this aversion has not descended to +the daughter. His Excellency will know how to value it. I beg your +escort, Egon. I should like to look for my brother." + +She bowed to the circle and glided away on the arm of the Prince, whose +bearing plainly said: + +"Now comes my turn." + +He was not mistaken. Her Highness had no thought of finding the Duke, +but took a seat in the adjoining room with her young relative, whom she +wished to have to herself. + +At first her anger burst forth at the unbearably haughty Frau von +Wallmoden, who boasted of her father's burgher pride, while she had +married a Baron from vanity, for she could not possibly feel any +affection for a man old enough to be her father. Egon was silent as to +that, for he had already put the same question to himself, How had this +unequal match come to take place? without finding an answer to it; but +his silence was now an offence. + +"Well, Egon, have you nothing to say? But you seem to have sworn +allegiance to this lady; you have been constantly at her side." + +"I do homage to beauty wherever I meet it; you know that, most gracious +aunt," expostulated the Prince. But alas! he only called forth another +storm. + +"Yes, alas! I know that. In this respect you are of incomprehensible +heedlessness. Perhaps you do not remember all my admonishings and +warnings before your departure?" + +"Ah, only too well," sighed Egon, who even now felt quite stifled with +the remembrance of the endless lecture which he had had to endure at +that time. + +"Really? But you have not returned any more sensible or sedate. I have +heard things---- Egon, there is only one salvation for you--you must +marry." + +"For heaven's sake, anything but that!" Egon started up so terrified +that Princess Sophie opened her fan indignantly. + +"What do you mean by that?" she asked in cutting tones. + +"Oh, only my un worthiness to enter into that state. Your Highness +yourself have often assured me that I was particularly fitted to make a +wife _unhappy_." + +"If the wife does not succeed in bettering you, of course. I do not +despair yet of that. But this is not the place to speak of such things. +The Duchess is planning a visit to Rodeck, and I intend to accompany +her." + +"What a charming idea!" exclaimed Egon, who was almost as much +terrified by the proposed visit as by the thought of marriage. "I am +really proud that Rodeck, which is usually such a small, tiresome +forest nook, can just now furnish you with some curiosities. I brought +many things from my travels, among them a lion, two young tigers, +several snakes----" + +"But not live ones?" interrupted the horrified lady. + +"Of course, Your Highness." + +"But, mon Dieu! one is not sure of one's life there." + +"Oh, it is not so dangerous, although some of the beasts have broken +away from us already--the people are so careless at feeding time; but +they have always been secured again, and have not done any harm as +yet." + +"As yet? That is a charming prospect, indeed," said the Princess +angrily. "You put the whole neighborhood in danger. The Duke ought to +prohibit you such dangerous playthings." + +"I hope not, for I am just now seriously occupied in attempting to tame +some of them. But besides these I can show you many domestic things +that are worth looking at. There are several girls among my servants +from this vicinity who look charming in their peasant costumes." + +Egon shuddered at the thought of his female servants "with wagging +heads," whom he still employed under Stadinger's careful eye, but he +had speculated correctly. His gracious aunt was indignant and measured +him with an annihilating glance. + +"So? You have such as that at Rodeck!" + +"Certainly. There is Lena in particular, the granddaughter of my +steward, a charming little thing, and when you give me the honor of +your visit, most gracious aunt----" + +"I shall leave it alone," interrupted the incensed lady, using her fan +violently. "It must be a peculiar household which you carry on at +Rodeck with the young foreigner whom you have, perhaps, also brought as +a curiosity from your travels. He has the face of a perfect brigand." + +"My friend Rojanow! He has been pining a long time to be presented to +Your Highness. You permit it, I hope?" + +Without waiting for an answer he hastened away and took possession of +Hartmut. + +"Now it is your turn," he whispered, dragging him along +unceremoniously. "I have been the victim long enough, and my most +precious aunt has to have some one whom she can roast slowly. She +insists upon marrying me off-hand, and you have the face of a perfect +brigand, but, thank God! she does not come to Rodeck. I have taken care +of that!" + +In the next moment he stood before Her Highness, introducing his friend +with his blandest smile. + + + + + CHAPTER XXII. + + +Herr von Wallmoden had lingered in the circle a few moments after the +departure of the Princess; then, with his wife on his arm, he walked +slowly through the suite of rooms, greeting an acquaintance here, +conversing briefly there, until they finally reached the last of the +reception rooms, which was rather deserted. + +The tower room, opening directly from this, was not generally used in +entertainments, but for tonight it had been transformed into a small, +cosy apartment with curtains and carpets and a picturesque group of +plants, and, with its dim lights, offered a pleasing contrast to the +blinding flood of light and the commotion of the other rooms. + +It was quite vacant now, which the Ambassador seemed to have counted +upon when he entered with his wife and offered her a seat upon a divan. + +"I must draw your attention to the fact, Adelaide, that you did an +unwise thing just now," he began in a low tone. "Your remark to the +Princess----" + +"Was self-defense," finished the young wife. "You must have felt, as +well as I did, what the object of the conversation was." + +"Nevertheless, at your first appearance you have made for yourself an +antagonist whose enmity can materially render your own and my position +more difficult." + +"Yours?" Adelaide looked at him in surprise. "Are you, the Ambassador +of a great power, to ask the grace of a malicious woman who happens to +be related to a ducal family?" + +"My child, you do not understand," returned Wallmoden coldly. "An +intriguing woman can be more dangerous than a political opponent, and +Princess Sophie is well known in that line. Even the Duchess is known +to be in fear of her malicious tongue." + +"That is the Duchess' affair. I am not in fear of it." + +"My dear Adelaide," said the Ambassador, with a superior smile, "that +proud turn of your head is very becoming to you, and I approve entirely +of your making yourself unapproachable with it in other circles, but +you will have to leave it off at Court, as well as several other +things. One does not give royalty a lesson before so many observers, +and you did that when you spoke of the refusal of the title. In any +case, it was not necessary for you to lay so much stress upon the +descent of your father." + +"Should I perhaps have denied it?" + +"No, for it is a well-known fact." + +"Of which I am as proud as was my father." + +"But you are not Adelaide Stahlberg any longer, but the Baroness +Wallmoden." The voice of the Ambassador had acquired a certain +sharpness. "And you will admit that it is very contradictory to boast +of your burgher pride when you have given your hand to a man of the old +nobility." + +A slight bitterness quivered around the lips of the young wife, and +although the conversation had been carried on in low tones, her voice +sank even lower as she returned: "Perhaps you have forgotten, Herbert, +why I gave you my hand." + +"Have you had cause to regret it?" he asked instead of replying. + +"No," said Adelaide, drawing a deep breath. + +"I should think you could be satisfied with the position you have at my +side. Besides, you remember that I did not compel you. I left you +perfectly free choice." + +The wife was silent, but the bitter expression did not leave her lips. + +Wallmoden arose and offered his arm. + +"You must permit me, my child, to come to your assistance sometimes in +your inexperience," he said in his usual polite tone. "So far I have +had every reason to be satisfied with your tact and manner. To-day is +the first time I have had to give you a hint. May I ask if you are +ready to return?" + +"I should like to remain here a few moments longer," said Adelaide in a +smothered voice. "It is so insufferably hot in the salons." + +"Just as you desire, but I beg that you will not remain too long, as +your absence would cause remark." + +He saw and felt that she was offended, but found it expedient not to +notice it. Baron Wallmoden, in spite of all his politeness and +attention, understood that in the training of his wife such kinds of +sentiment must not be encouraged. He left the room, and Adelaide +remained alone. She leaned her head upon her hand, and with unseeing +eyes stared at the group of plants near her, whispering almost +inaudibly: "Free choice--O, my God!" + + * * * * * + +In the meantime Prince Adelsberg and his friend were being most +graciously dismissed. They bowed low before the Princess, who arose and +left the salon with an unusually mild expression on her sharp features. + +"Hartmut, I believe you can magnetize," said Egon under his breath. "I +have seen many examples of your irresistibility, but that my most +gracious aunt has a regular attack of affability in your presence is +something never heard of before. It puts all your other victories into +the shade." + +"Well, the reception was cool enough," laughed Hartmut. "Her Highness +really seemed to take me for a brigand at first." + +"But in ten minutes you stood in the full sunshine of her grace, and +have been dismissed a prime favorite. Do tell me what you have in you +that everybody, without exception, bows to your charm. One might well +believe in the old fairy tale of the rat-catcher." + +Again the harsh, repulsive sarcasm which took for a moment every beauty +from his face, passed over Hartmut's lips, giving him a satanic +expression. + +"I understand how to play the thing they like best to hear. It has a +different sound to every one, but if one knows how to strike the right +chord, none can resist it." + +"None?" repeated Egon, while his glance passed searchingly through the +room. + +"Not one, I tell you." + +"Yes, you are a pessimist in this respect. I at least recognize some +exceptions. If I only knew where Frau von Wallmoden was. I cannot see +her anywhere." + +"His Excellency is probably reading her a lecture upon the undiplomatic +remark of a short time since." + +"Did you also hear it?" asked Egon quickly. + +"Yes; I stood in the door." + +"Well, I do not in the least begrudge our most gracious one the lesson. +Naturally she was beside herself about it, but do you really believe +that the Ambassador---- Hush! there he is himself." + +It was, indeed, the Ambassador before them, just returning from the +tower room. An encounter now could not be avoided, and the young +Prince, who had no idea of the existing connection, hastened to +introduce his friend. + +"Allow me, Your Excellency, to make good a neglect which was forced +upon me that day upon the Hochberg by the disappearance of my friend. I +only found him after your departure. Herr Hartmut Rojanow, Baron von +Wallmoden." + +The eyes of the two men met. The sharp, penetrating eyes of the one met +the expression of challenging defiance in the other, but Wallmoden +would not have been the finished diplomat he was if he were not equal +to the present moment. + +His greeting was cool but polite, only he turned to the Prince alone +with his answer, regretting not being able to chat with the gentlemen, +since he was called to the Duke. + +The whole meeting had lasted but two minutes, but it had taken place. + +"His Excellency is more taciturn to-day than usual," remarked Egon, +walking on. "Whenever I see this cold, diplomatic face before me I have +a chill, and feel a pressing desire to seek warmer zones." + +"Therefore we follow so persistently the track of the beautiful, cold +aurora," said Hartmut, teasingly. "Whom do we really seek in this walk +through the rooms which you continue so untiringly?" + +"The Chief Forester," said the Prince, vexed at seeing himself +betrayed. "I wish to make you acquainted with him, but you are in one +of your railing moods to-day. Perhaps I may find Schonan over yonder in +the armory. I shall look there." + +He took a speedy departure, and actually turned his steps to the +armory, where the ducal couple was at present, and where he also +believed Adelaide von Wallmoden to be. But, unfortunately, at the +entrance he again crossed the path of his most gracious aunt, who took +possession of him. She wished for more particulars of the interesting +young Roumanian who stood, indeed, in the sunlight of her favor, and +her impatient nephew had to answer all her questions willingly or +otherwise. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII. + + +The fete progressed; the assembly glided to and fro as Hartmut walked +slowly and apparently purposelessly through the long suite of reception +rooms. He, too, looked for some one, and was more successful than Egon. +A hasty glance into the tower room, the entrance of which was partly +concealed by heavy portieres, showed him the hem of a white train which +floated over the floor, and the next moment he had crossed the +threshold. + +Adelaide von Wallmoden was still sitting in the same position, and +slowly turned her head toward the intruder. Suddenly she started, but +only for an instant, then with her habitual composure she returned the +deep bow of the young man who remained standing at the door. + +"I hope I have not disturbed Your Excellency," he said. "I fear you +came here for solitude into which I have broken suddenly, but it +happens quite unintentionally." + +"I only took refuge here from the smothering heat of the salons." + +"The same cause brought me here, and since I did not have the honor +to-day to greet you, permit me to do so now." + +The words sounded very formal. Rojanow had drawn nearer, but remained +standing at a respectable distance. Nevertheless, the start at his +entrance had not been passed by unobserved by him. A peculiar smile +hovered around his lips as he directed his eyes upon the young +Baroness. + +She had made a gesture as if to rise and leave the room, but seemed to +remember in time that so sudden a move would look like flight. She +remained seated and leaned over the plants. Absently she picked one of +the large crimson japonicas as she replied to the question about her +health, but that line of severe will-power appeared again, sharply and +distinctly, just as in that moment when she stood in the middle of the +brook. That day she had stepped without hesitation into ankle-deep +water rather than accept the help which was offered her; but that had +occurred in the forest loneliness. No such obstacle had to be overcome +here in the ducal castle, filled with the pomp of a fete; but the man +with the dark, consuming glance was here, and he did not remove his +eyes from her face. + +"Shall you remain at Rodeck any length of time?" asked Adelaide in the +indifferent tone with which remarks are exchanged in society. + +"Probably a few weeks longer. Prince Adelsberg will hardly leave his +castle as long as the Duke is at Furstenstein. I intend to accompany +him to the Residenz later on." + +"And we shall then learn to know you as a poet?" + +"Me, Your Excellency?" + +"I learned so from the Prince." + +"Oh, that is only Egon's idea," said Hartmut, lightly. "He has settled +it in his mind that he must see my Arivana upon the stage." + +"Arivana! A strange title." + +"It is an Oriental name for an Indian legend, whose poetical charm had +prepossessed me so strangely that I could not resist the temptation to +form it into a drama." + +"And the heroine of the drama is Arivana?" + +"No; that is only the name of an ancient, sacred spot, around which +this legend clings. The name of the heroine is--Ada." + +Rojanow uttered the name softly, hesitatingly; but his eyes flamed up +triumphantly, as he saw again the same slight quiver he had seen at his +entrance. Slowly he approached a few steps, continuing: "I heard the +name for the first time upon India's soil, and it had a sweet foreign +sound for me, which I retained for my heroine, and now I learn here +that the abbreviation of a German name is just like it." + +"Of the name Adelaide--yes. I was always called so at home; but it is +nothing peculiar that the same sounds return in different languages." + +The words sounded repellent, but the young wife did not lift her eyes; +she gazed fixedly upon the flower with which her fingers toyed. + +"Certainly not," assented Hartmut; "I only noticed it. It was no +surprise, since all legends are repeated in all nations. They have a +greater or less difference in appearance, but that which lives in +them--the passion, the happiness and joy of the people--that is the +same everywhere." + +Adelaide shrugged her shoulders. + +"I cannot argue about that with a poet, but I do believe that our +German legends possess other features than the Indian dreams of myths." + +"Perhaps so, but if you look deeper you will find these features +familiar. This Arivana myth, at least, has similar lines. The hero, a +young priest who has consecrated body and soul to his deity--the +sacred, burning fire--is overwhelmed by earthly love, with all its +fervor and passion, until his priestly vow perishes in its intensity." + +He stood quietly and respectfully before her, but his voice had a +strangely suppressed sound, as if, hidden behind this narrative, there +was another and secret meaning. + +Suddenly the Baroness raised her eyes and directed them fully and +seriously upon the face of the speaker. "And--the end?" + +"The end is death, as in most mystic legends. The breaking of the vow +is discovered, and the guilty ones are sacrificed to the offended +deity; the priest dies in the flames with the woman he loves." + +A short pause followed. Adelaide arose with a rapid movement. She +apparently wished to break off the conversation. + +"You are right; this legend has something familiar, if it were only the +old doctrine of guilt and atonement." + +"Do you call that guilt, gracious lady?" Hartmut suddenly dropped the +formal title. "Well, yes, by man it is called guilt, and they too +punish it with death, without thinking that such punishment can be +ecstasy. To perish in the flames after having tasted of the highest +earthly happiness, and to embrace this happiness even in death--that is +a glorious, divine death, worthy a long life of dull monotony. The +eternal, undying right of love glows there like signs of flame in the +sky, in spite of all laws of mankind. Do you not think such an end +enviable?" + +A slight paleness covered the face of the Baroness, but her voice was +firm as she answered: + +"No; enviable only is death for an exalted, holy duty--the sacrifice of +a pure life. One can forgive sin, but one does not admire it." + +Hartmut bit his lips, and a threatening glance rested on the white +figure which stood so solemn and unapproachable before him. Then he +smiled. + +"A hard judgment, which strikes my work also, for I have put my whole +power into the glorification of this love and death. If the world judge +like you---- Ah, permit me, gracious lady." + +He quickly approached the divan where she had been sitting, where, with +her fan, the japonica also had been left. + +"Thank you," said Adelaide, stretching out her hand; but he gave her +only the fan. + +"Your pardon. While I was composing my Arivana on the veranda of a +small house in India, this flower bloomed and glowed from its dark +green foliage everywhere, and now it greets me here in the cold North. +May I keep this flower?" + +Adelaide made a half reluctant gesture. + +"No, why should you?" + +"Why should I? For a remembrance of the severe opinion from the lips of +a lady who bears the lovely name of my mystic heroine. You see, +gracious lady, that the white japonica blooms here also, delicate, +snowy flower; but unconsciously you broke the glowing red one, and +poets are superstitious. Leave me the flower as a token that my work, +in spite of all, may find favor in your eyes after you learn to know +it. You have no idea how much it means to me." + +"Herr Rojanow--I----" She was about to utter a refusal, but he +interrupted her, and continued in low, but passionate, tones: + +"What is a single flower to you, broken carelessly, and which you will +allow to fade as carelessly? But to me leave me this token, gracious +lady; I--I beg for it." + +He stood close beside her. The charm which he, as a boy, had +unconsciously exerted when he made people "defenseless" with his +coaxing, he, as a man, recognized as a power which never failed, and +which he knew how to use. His voice bore again that soft, suppressed +tone which charmed the ear like music; and his eyes--those dark, +mysterious eyes--were fixed upon the girl before him with a half +gloomy, half beseeching expression. + +The paleness of her face had deepened, but she did not answer. + +"I beg of you," he repeated, more lowly, more beseechingly, as he +pressed the glowing flower to his lips; but the very gesture broke the +spell. Adelaide suddenly drew herself up. + +"I must ask you, Herr Rojanow, to return the flower to me. I intended +it for my husband." + +"Ah, so? I beg your pardon, Your Excellency." + +He handed her the flower with a deep bow, which she accepted with a +barely noticeable inclination of the head. Then the heavy white train +glided past him, and he was alone. + +In vain! Everything glided off this icy nature. + +Hartmut stamped his foot angrily. Only ten minutes ago he had passed +such harsh judgment on all women, without an exception, to the Prince. +Now he had sung again that charming tune which he had tried so often +successfully, and had found one who resisted it. But the proud, spoiled +man would not believe that he could lose the game which he had won so +often, when just here he was so anxious to win it. + +And would it really remain only a game? He had not as yet accounted to +himself for it, but he felt that the passion which drew him to the +beautiful woman was mingled at times with hatred. + +They were conflicting emotions which had been deeply stirred when he +walked by her side through the forest--half admiring, half repellent. +But it was just that which made the chase so interesting to the +practised huntsman. + +Love! The high, pure meaning of the word had remained foreign to the +son of Zalika. When he learned to feel, he was living at his mother's +side, she who had made such shameful play of her husband's love; and +the women with whom she associated were no better. The later life which +she led with her son, unsettled and adventurous, with no firm ground +under their feet, had finally crushed out the last remnant of idealism +in the young man. He learned to despise before he learned to love, and +now he felt the merited humiliation given him to be an insult. + +"Struggle on," he muttered; "you battle against yourself. I have seen +and felt it; and the one who does that, does not conquer in such a +struggle." + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV. + + +A slight noise at the entrance caused Hartmut to look up. It was the +Ambassador who appeared on the threshold, casting a searching glance +into the room. He came for his wife, whom he thought still there. + +He started at sight of Hartmut, and for a moment seemed undecided. Then +he said, half audibly: "Herr Rojanow." + +"Your Excellency." + +"I should like to speak to you privately." + +"I am at your service." + +Wallmoden entered, but took up his position so as to keep the entrance +in view. It was hardly necessary, for the doors of the dining room had +just been thrown open, and the whole assembly floated there. The salon +adjoining the tower room was already empty. + +"I am surprised to see you here," the Ambassador began in suppressed +tones, but with the same insulting coldness which he had shown at the +first meeting, and which brought the blood to the young man's brow. He +drew himself up threateningly. + +"Why, Your Excellency?" + +"The question is superfluous. At any rate, I request you not to again +force me into the position I was brought into a short while ago, when +Prince Adelsberg introduced you to me." + +"The forced position was mine," returned Hartmut, just as sharply. "I +will not assert that you consider me an intruder here, for you, best of +all, know that I have a right to this intercourse." + +"_Hartmut von Falkenried_ would have had a right, of course; but that +has changed." + +"Herr von Wallmoden!" + +"Not so loud, if you please," interrupted the Ambassador. "We might be +overheard, and it would surely not be desirable to you that the name I +just now uttered should be heard by outsiders." + +"It is true that at present I carry my mother's name, to which I surely +have a right. If I laid aside the other, it happened out of +consideration----" + +"For your father," finished Wallmoden, with heavy emphasis. + +Hartmut started. This was an allusion which he could not bear yet. + +"Yes," he replied, curtly. "I confess that it would be painful to me if +I were forced to break this consideration." + +"And why? Your role here would be played out, anyway." + +Rojanow stepped close to the Ambassador with a passionate gesture. + +"You are the friend of my father, Herr von Wallmoden, and I have called +you uncle in my boyhood; but you forget that I am no longer the boy +whom you could lecture and master at that time. The grown man looks at +it as an insult." + +"I intend neither to offend you nor to renew old connections, which +neither of us consider as existing," said Wallmoden, coldly. "If I +desired this conversation, it was to declare to you that it will not be +possible to me, in my official position, to see you in intercourse with +the Court, and be silent when it would be my duty to enlighten the +Duke." + +"Enlighten the Duke! About what?" + +"About several things which are not known here and which have probably +remained unknown to Prince Adelsberg. Please do not fly into a passion, +Herr Rojanow. I would do this only in an extreme case, for I have to +spare a friend. I know how a certain incident hurt him ten years ago, +which is now forgotten and buried in our country, and, if all this +should come up again and be brought into publicity, Colonel Falkenried +would die of it." + +Hartmut blanched. The defiant reply did not cross his lips. "He would +die of it." The awful word, the truth of which he felt only too well, +forced aside for the moment even the insult of the remark. + +"I owe my father alone an account of that occasion," he replied in a +painfully suppressed voice; "only him and nobody else." + +"He will hardly ask for it. His son is dead to him; but let that rest. +I speak especially now of later years; of your stay at Rome and Paris, +where you lived with your mother in lavish style, although the estates +in Roumania had had to be sacrificed at a forced sale." + +"You seem to be all-knowing, Your Excellency!" hissed Rojanow in great +anger. "We had no idea that we were under such conscientious +surveillance. We lived upon the balance of our fortune which had been +rescued from the wreck." + +"Nothing was rescued; the money was entirely lost--to the last penny." + +"That is not true," interrupted Hartmut, stormily. + +"It is true. Am I really better informed about it than you?" The voice +of the Ambassador sounded cuttingly sharp. "It is possible that Frau +Rojanow did not want her son informed of the source from which she +derived her means, and left him in error about it intentionally. I know +the circumstances. If they have remained unknown to you--so much the +better for you." + +"Take care not to insult my mother," the young man burst forth; "or I +shall forget that your hair is gray, and demand satisfaction." + +"For what? For a statement for which I can produce the proofs? Lay +aside such foolishness, of which I shall take no notice. She was your +mother, and is dead now; therefore we will go no deeper into this +point. I should only like to put this question to you: Do you intend, +even after this conversation, to remain here and appear in the circle +into which Prince Adelsberg has introduced you?" + +Hartmut had turned deathly pale at the hint of the muddy origin of his +mother's means, and the numb terror with which he looked at the speaker +betrayed that he indeed knew nothing about it. But at this last +question he regained his composure. + +His flashing eyes met those of his opponent, and a wild decision +sounded in his voice as he replied: "Yes, Herr von Wallmoden, I +remain." + +The Ambassador did not seem to have expected this defiance; he probably +thought to have accomplished the matter more easily, but he retained +his composure. + +"Really? Well, you are accustomed to playing a high hand, and you seem +to wish here also--but hush! Some one is coming. Reconsider the matter, +perhaps you will change your mind." + +He quickly entered the adjoining room, in which the Chief Forester now +appeared. + +"Where have you hidden yourself, Herbert?" he asked, when he beheld the +Ambassador. "I have looked everywhere for you." + +"I wished to find my wife." + +"She is already in the dining room, like everybody else, and where you +are being missed. Come, it is high time that we get something to eat." + +Herr von Schonan took possession of his brother-in-law in his ever +jovial manner and went off with him. + +Hartmut stood still in his place. He struggled for breath; the +excitement threatened to choke him. Shame, hatred, anger, all floated +wildly through his heart. That hint of Wallmoden's had hurt him +terribly, although he but half understood it. It tore asunder the veil +with which he had half unconsciously, half intentionally shrouded the +truth. He had, indeed, believed that a remnant of their wealth, rescued +from the wreck, had given him and his mother their income. But it was +not the first time that he had shut his eyes to what he did not wish to +see. + +He had enjoyed life in deep draughts without calling himself to account +for it when the hand of his mother had so suddenly torn him from the +enforced paternal education into unlimited freedom; when he exchanged +the routine of the strictest duties for a life full of intoxicating +enjoyments. He had then been too young to judge, and later on--it was +then too late; habit and example had woven too unyielding a net around +him. Now, for the first time, it was being shown him clearly and +unmistakably what the life was that he had led so long--the life of an +adventurer; and as an adventurer he had been pointed out the exit from +society. + +But hotter than the shame of that burned the affront which had been +given him, and hatred for the man who had forced this indisputable +truth upon him. The unfortunate inheritance from his mother, the hot, +wild blood which had once been fatal to the boy, welled up like a +stream of fire, and every other thought went down in a sensation, wild +and limitless, of thirst for revenge. + +His handsome features were distorted beyond recognition when he finally +left the room, with tightly closed teeth. He knew and felt but one +thing--that he must have revenge--revenge at any price! + + + + + CHAPTER XXV. + + +It was very late when the fete came to an end. After the withdrawal of +the ducal couple, a general move for departure took place. Carriage +after carriage rolled down the Schlossberg; the bright lights were +extinguished, and Furstenstein began to shroud itself in darkness and +silence. + +In the apartments devoted to the Ambassador and his wife, however, the +lights still burned. + +Adelaide stood at the window in her rich robe of the fete and looked +out into the night like one lost in thought, but it was with a +peculiar, weary gesture that she leaned her head against the window +panes. + +Wallmoden sat at the writing table, glancing through some letters and +dispatches which had arrived in the last hour. They seemed to contain +important news, for he did not lay them aside with other papers to +receive attention to-morrow morning, but grasped a pen and hastily +wrote a few lines, then arose and quickly approached his wife. + +"This comes unexpectedly," he said. "I shall have to go to Berlin." + +Adelaide turned in surprise. "So suddenly?" + +"Yes; I thought to accomplish this very serious affair by letter, but +the Minister expressly desires a personal interview. Therefore I shall +take leave of the Duke to-morrow morning for a period of about a week, +and depart immediately." + +The young bride's features could not be distinguished in the +semi-darkness, but her breast heaved with a deep sigh, which betrayed a +perhaps unconscious relief. + +"At what hour do we leave?" she asked quickly; "I should like to notify +my maid." + +"We? This is entirely a business trip, and, naturally, I go alone." + +"But I could accompany you." + +"What for? You understand that it means an absence of only a week or +two." + +"No matter. I--I should like to see Berlin again." + +"What a whim!" said Wallmoden, shrugging his shoulders. "I shall be so +occupied this time that I could not accompany you anywhere." + +The young wife had approached the table and now stood in the full light +of the lamp. She was much paler than usual, and her voice had a +suppressed sound as she returned: "Well, then, I shall go home. I +should really not like to remain here alone at Furstenstein without +you." + +"Alone?" The Ambassador looked at her in astonishment. "You will be +with our relatives, whose guests we are. How long have you been so +desirous of protection? It is a thing I have not observed in you so +far. I do not understand you, Adelaide. What is this strange caprice of +wishing to accompany me at all hazards?" + +"Accept it as a caprice, then, but let me go with you, Herbert; I beg +of you." + +She laid her hand entreatingly upon his arm, and her eyes were directed +with almost an expression of fear upon her husband's face, whose thin +lips parted in a sarcastic smile. It was that superior smile, which +could be so insulting at times. + +"Ah, so? Now I understand. That scene with the Princess has been +disagreeable to you. You fear renewed annoyances, which will probably +not fail to come. You must lose this sensitiveness, my child. On the +contrary, you ought to be aware of the fact that this encounter alone +puts you to the necessity of remaining here. Every word, every look is +interpreted at Court, and a sudden departure on your part would give +rise to all sorts of speculations. You have to hold your own now, if +you do not wish to make your connections with the Court forever +difficult." + +The young wife's hand slipped slowly from his arm, and her look sank to +the floor at this cool rejoinder to her almost beseeching entreaty--the +first she had uttered in her short marriage. + +"Hold my own," she repeated, in a low voice. "I do that, but I hoped +you would remain at my side." + +"That is not possible just now, as you see; besides, you understand in +a masterly manner how to defend yourself. You have shown that to me as +well as to the whole Court to-day, but I am sure the hint I gave you +will be considered, and that you will be more cautious with your +answers in the future. At any rate, you will remain at Furstenstein +until I return for you." + +Adelaide was silent. She saw that nothing was to be gained here. + +Wallmoden stepped back to the writing table and looked at the document +just received; then he grasped the sheet on which he had written the +answer and folded it. + +"One thing more, Adelaide," he said, carelessly; "the young Prince +Adelsberg was constantly at your side to-night. He pays homage to you +in rather a conspicuous manner." + +"Do you wish me to decline these attentions?" she asked, indifferently. + +"No; I only ask you to draw the necessary limit, so that no idle talk +may ensue. I do not intend to cut short your social victories. We do +not live in burgher circumstances, and it would be ridiculous in my +position to play the jealous husband who views every attention paid his +wife with suspicion. I leave this entirely to your own tact, in which I +have unlimited confidence." + +All of this sounded so tranquil, so sensible, so boundlessly +indifferent, Herr von Wallmoden might, indeed, be exonerated from any +thought of jealousy. The openly offered admiration of the young, +charming Prince caused him no anxiety; he quietly left his wife to her +"tact." + +"I shall attend to this dispatch myself," he continued; "as we have a +telegraph station in the castle since the Duke's arrival. You should +ring for your mail, my child; you look somewhat fatigued and probably +feel so. Good night." + +He left the room, but Adelaide did not follow the advice. She had drawn +near the window again, and a half bitter, half pained expression +trembled on her lips. She had never felt so painfully as at this moment +that she was nothing more to her husband than a shining jewel which one +exhibits, a wife whom one treats with perfect politeness and attention +because she brought in her hand a princely fortune, and to whom a +request could be denied with equal politeness; a request which might +have been so easily granted. + +Night rested over the forest; the sky was cloudy and dark, with here +and there a solitary star glimmering through the flying clouds. A pale +face looked up to the gloomy sky; not with the cold, proud composure +the world was accustomed to see, but with an expression of beseeching +entreaty. + +The young wife pressed both hands to her bosom, as if the pain and +unrest were there. She had wished to flee from the dark power +whose approach she had felt, and which was drawing the circles nearer +and closer around her. She had wished to flee to her husband's +protection. In vain! He would go away and leave her alone, and another +remained--another, who, with dark, glowing eyes and thrilling voice, +wielded such a mysterious, irresistible power. "Ada," the name with its +sweet, foreign sound, floated near her like a spirit's breath. It was +her name which the legend of the Arivana bore! + + + + + CHAPTER XXVI. + + +October had come, and autumn began to show its reign in a marked +manner. The foliage of the trees bore gay tints; the country was +wrapped, morning and night, in mist. The nights sometimes brought +frost, while the days were unusually fine and sunny. + +With the exception of that large fete which had collected the whole +community, and the hunts, which were naturally prominent at this time +of the year, no particular festivities took place. + +The Duke, as well as his wife, loved to entertain small circles, and +did not wish to disturb the quiet and freedom of their autumn visit +with brilliant entertainments. On that account excursions were more +often taken. The forest hills were being explored on horseback and in +carriages, and the ducal table daily held a large number of guests. +Adelaide von Wallmoden belonged to this small circle. The Duchess, who +had learned in what manner her sister-in-law tried to make the position +of the young Baroness more difficult, counterbalanced it with greater +affability, drawing Adelaide into her presence at every opportunity; +and the Duke, who wished to distinguish the Ambassador and his wife, +was well satisfied with it. + +Wallmoden was still in Berlin. The two weeks he had appointed for his +trip had passed away, and yet nothing was said of his return. + +One of the most frequent visitors at Furstenstein was Egon von +Adelsberg, the pronounced favorite of his princely relatives; and his +friend, Rojanow, was always honored with an invitation. The young +Prince had prophesied correctly. Hartmut was like a shining meteor, +whom all eyes followed with admiration, and of whom it was not expected +that he should follow in the old beaten track of Court life. + +He had read his Arivana to them at the request of the Duchess, and with +it had gained a perfect triumph. The Duke had immediately promised him +a performance of the drama in the Court Theatre, and Princess Sophie +turned her special favor upon the young poet. + +The surrounding Court circle, of course, followed the example of the +princely people in this case only too gladly, for the charm he +exercised was universal. + +The hunting carriage of Prince Adelsberg stood before the castle of +Rodeck. It was still early, and the misty October morning seemed to +promise a clear, beautiful day. Egon had just appeared upon the terrace +in full hunting costume and was speaking with the castle steward, who +followed him. + +"And so you wish to look at the hunt also?" he asked. "Of course, Peter +Stadinger has to be wherever anything is to be seen. My valet has also +asked leave of absence, and I believe the whole population of the Wald +will turn out to-day to be at the hunting grounds." + +"Yes, Your Highness, such things are not often to be seen," said +Stadinger. "The great Court and gala hunts have become rare in our +Wald. Hunting goes on everywhere, but then the gentlemen are mostly by +themselves, like here at Rodeck, and if the ladies are not there----" + +"Then it is unbearably tiresome," completed the Prince. "Quite my +opinion; but you are otherwise prejudiced against womankind, and cry +out if any one who has not reached a good old age comes within the +borders of Rodeck. Have you changed your opinion in your old days?" + +"I meant the high princely ladies, Your Highness," declared the old +servant, with particular emphasis. + +"The high princely ladies could only honor me with a visit upon the +occasion of a drive. I cannot invite them, as I am a bachelor." + +"And why is Your Highness still a bachelor?" asked Stadinger in +reproachful tones. + +"Man, I believe you also have matrimonial plans for me as well as the +world has," laughed Egon. "Spare your pains; I shall not marry." + +"That is not right, Your Highness," persisted Stadinger, who gave his +master his title at least once in every sentence because it was +"respectable" so to do, while at the same time he took the liberty of +lecturing him upon every occasion; "and it is also unchristianlike, for +matrimony is a holy state, in which one feels well off. Your sainted +father was married--and so was I." + +"Oh, of course, you too. You are even grandfather of a most charming +granddaughter, whom you have most cruelly sent off. When does she come +back, anyhow?" + +The steward thought best to lose the last question, but he remained +obstinately at his subject. + +"Your Highness, the Duchess and the Princess Sophie are of the same +opinion. Your Highness should consider the subject seriously." + +"Well, since you exhort so paternally, I will consider it. But, +concerning the Princess Sophie, she intends to drive to Bucheneck, +which is the meeting place of to-day's hunt; it may be possible she +will notice you there and may speak to you." + +"Very probable, Your Highness," confirmed the old man, complacently. +"Her Highness always honors me by speaking to me, because she knows me +as the oldest servant of the ducal house." + +"Very well. If the Princess should ask casually after the snakes and +animals which I have brought back from my travels, you say that they +have already been sent to one of my other castles." + +"It is not necessary at all, Your Highness," Stadinger assured him, +benevolently; "the most illustrious aunt already knows all about it." + +"Knows all about what? Have you told her anything?" + +"At your service. The day before yesterday, when I was at Furstenstein, +Her Highness had just returned from a drive and graciously beckoned me +to approach and asked me--Her Highness likes to do that----" + +"Yes, Heaven knows!" groaned the young Prince, who already scented +mischief. "And what did you answer?" + +"'Your Highness may rest easy,' I said; 'we have only monkeys and +parrots of the live animals in the castle. Serpents have never been +there. A large sea serpent, though, was to have arrived, but he died on +the voyage, and the elephants tore themselves lose at the embarking and +ran back to the palm forests--at least, so His Highness says. To be +sure, we have two tigers, but they are stuffed; and of the lions, there +is only the skin, which lies in the armory. Therefore Your Highness may +see that the beasts cannot break loose and do harm.'" + +"Oh, but you have fixed things now with your chattering!" cried Egon, +exasperated. "And the Princess, what did she say?" + +"Her Highness only smiled and inquired what kind of female servants we +had at Rodeck, and if the girls of this vicinity were among them; but I +said then"--here Stadinger drew himself up consciously--"'The servants +in service at the castle I have hired. They are all industrious and +reliable; I have looked out for that. But His Highness runs when he +puts eyes on them, and Herr Rojanow runs still more; and the gentlemen +have never gone back into the kitchen since the first time they went +there.' After that Her Highness was most gracious and condescended to +praise me and dismissed me in the very highest satisfaction." + +"And I should like to run you to perdition in the very highest +dissatisfaction," the Prince burst forth, wrathfully. "You unlucky old +Waldgeist, what _have_ you been doing again?" + +The old man, who apparently thought that he had done his part extremely +well, looked at his master in perplexity. + +"But I have only said the truth, Your Highness." + +"There are cases where one must not say the truth." + +"So? I did not know that till now." + +"Stadinger, you have quite an abominable way of answering. Have you +told the Princess also that Lena has been in town for the past four +weeks?" + +"At your service, Your Highness." + +"What is the matter with Stadinger again?" inquired Hartmut, who +emerged from the castle, also dressed for the hunt, and who had heard +the last of the conversation. + +"He has committed a first-class foolishness," grumbled Egon, but he was +met with bad success by the "oldest servant of the ducal house," who +drew himself up, deeply offended. + +"With your permission, Your Highness, I have not committed the +foolishness." + +"Do you mean perhaps that I have done it?" + +Stadinger looked at his master keenly from the corner of his eye, after +which he said deliberately: "That I do not know, Your Highness; but it +may be so." + +"You are a churl!" cried the Prince, hotly. + +"Known for that through all the Wald, Your Highness." + +"Come, Hartmut; nothing can be done with the old, grumbling bear +to-day," said Egon, half laughing, half vexed. "At first he gets me +into scrapes, and then he lectures me on top of it. May graciousness +help you, Stadinger, if you give any more such reports!" + +With which he entered the carriage with Rojanow. Stadinger remained +standing in military position and saluted as was demanded by his idea +of the respectful, for respect was the main thing, although he did not +in the least think of giving in by so doing. His Highness, Prince Egon, +had to do that; he could not come up with his Peter Stadinger. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVII. + + +Egon was evidently of the same opinion as he narrated the proceeding to +his friend, and concluded with comic despair: "Now you can imagine what +a reception will be mine from the most illustrious aunt. She has +guessed that I wished to keep her away from Rodeck. My morals are +rescued in her eyes, but at the expense of my veracity. Hartmut, do me +the favor of showering your sweetest affability upon my revered aunt. +If necessary, compose a poem for her as a lightning rod; otherwise the +flash of her most high anger will annihilate me." + +"Well, I should think you were weather-proof in this respect," quoth +Hartmut. "You have had to have forgiveness for many similar escapades. +The Duchess and the younger ladies will be at the chase on horseback, +will they not?" + +"Yes, they could not see much from a carriage. Do you know that Frau +von Wallmoden sits her horse perfectly. I met her the day before +yesterday as she returned from a ride with her brother-in-law, the +Chief Forester." + +"Ah, so? Well, one knows, then, where Prince Adelsberg will be to-day +exclusively." + +Egon, who had been reclining comfortably, straightened himself and +looked at his friend inquiringly. + +"Not so much sarcasm, if you please. Although you are not to be found +so frequently in the presence of the afore-mentioned lady, and even +pretend a certain coldness toward her, I know you too well not to see +that we are only too much of the same opinion." + +"And if it were so, would you consider it a break in our friendship?" + +"Not in this case, where the object is unobtainable to both." + +"Unobtainable!" That unpleasant smile again passed over his lips. + +"Yes, Hartmut," said the Prince, seriously, "the beautiful, cold +Aurora, as you have christened her, remains true to her nature. She +stands far removed and unapproachable on the horizon, and the ice sea +from which she rises is not to be penetrated. The lady has no heart; +she is incapable of a passionate feeling, and this gives her this +enviable security. Come, confess that here your power is wrecked. The +icy breath has chilled you, and therefore you flee from it." + +Hartmut was silent. He thought of those moments in the tower room, when +he asked for the brilliant flower. It had been refused him, but it had +not been an icy breath which came from the Baroness when she had +trembled under the gaze of the beseecher. + +He had since seen her almost daily, but had rarely approached her, +although he knew that he held her under his spell now as before. + +"Nevertheless, I cannot get free from this foolish infatuation," +continued Egon, with a half dreamy expression. "It seems to me that +life and warmth could grow up in that nature, and change the snow +region into a blooming world. If Adelaide von Wallmoden were still +free, I believe I should make the attempt." + +Rojanow, who had been gazing into the misty forest, lost in thought, +turned quickly and sharply: + +"What attempt? Does that perhaps mean that you would offer her your +hand?" + +"You seem really horror-stricken at the idea." The Prince laughed +aloud. "I meant that, indeed. I have no prejudice against the +manufacturing world, like my most gracious aunt, whom such a +possibility would indeed throw into convulsions. Strange to say, you +seem to think so, too. Well, both of you may rest easy. His Excellency, +the husband, has seized the prize; but he truly does not make a life of +roses for her with his tiresome diplomatic face. Ah! but the man has +had enviable good luck." + +"Call no man happy before his death," muttered Hartmut under his +breath. + +"A very wise remark, and one not quite new to me. But you sometimes +have something in your eyes which frightens me. Do not be offended, +Hartmut; but you look like a demon at this moment." + +Rojanow made no answer. + +The road now left the forest, and yonder Furstenstein rose into view, +where the ducal colors floated in the morning breeze. Half an hour +later the carriage rolled into the castle court, where an animated +scene reigned. + +The entire force of servants was at hand; saddle horses and carriages +were ready, and the greater number of invited guests had already +arrived. + +The start took place at the appointed hour, and the bright light of the +sun, breaking through the mist, shone resplendent on the imposing +cavalcade as it moved down the Schlossberg. + +The Duke and Duchess led the party; then followed the numerous suite +and the whole assembly of guests, and the grooms in full livery who +were permitted to go. + +Out through the sunny autumn morning into the forests and heights of +the hunting preserves, where it soon became lively. Firing resounded on +all sides; the flying game broke through the thickets or sped across +the openings, now alone and now in droves, only to be reached finally +by a ball; and the usually quiet forest gave back the echo of the +chase. + +The Chief Forester had ordered out the entire forester staff of the +Wald, and had made all arrangements so excellently that it brought him +great honor to lead the chase, which was not marred by any accident. + +Toward noon a rendezvous was held at Bucheneck, a small ducal forest +lodge situated in the midst of the Wald, and which could afford shelter +in case of unfavorable weather. This was not necessary to-day, for the +weather had turned out to be fine, only a little too warm for an +October day. The sun burned so hotly as to render it unpleasant at +luncheon, which was partaken of out of doors; but otherwise all passed +off happily and unceremoniously, and a gay scene developed upon the +large green meadow, at the border of which Bucheneck was situated. + +The entire hunting cortege was assembled here. The Duke, who had been +especially fortunate in the chase to-day, was in the very best of +spirits. The Duchess chatted with animation to her surrounding ladies, +and the Chief Forester beamed with pleasure, for the Duke had expressed +his satisfaction in the most flattering manner. + +Frau von Wallmoden, who was near the Duchess, was the subject of +general admiration to-day. She was, without doubt, the most beautiful +of all the assembled ladies, nearly all of whom needed rich dressing +and candle-light to bring out their beauty. Here, in the bright, midday +sun, in plain, dark riding habits, which permitted no colors or jewels, +many an otherwise admired appearance faded. The young Baroness alone +remained victorious in this simplicity. Her tall, slender figure looked +as if formed for her habit, while the transparent clearness and +freshness of her skin, and the shining blondness of her hair were even +more to be admired in daylight than at the night fete. Besides, she had +really proved herself an able horsewoman, who sat in the saddle with as +much ease as security; in short, the "beautiful Aurora," as Frau von +Wallmoden was now called in the court circle since Prince Adelsberg had +given her that name, was admired on all sides, and received the more +attention as it was known that she was to disappear for several weeks. + +The Ambassador had notified his wife yesterday that his diplomatic work +was now finished, but that he would utilize his presence in North +Germany in looking after the Stahlberg works. + +Important changes had been planned there, and new improvements spoken +of, for which a final decision had to be made, and Wallmoden, as +executor and guardian of the heir, had the deciding voice in it. His +presence at the conference was indispensable; he had asked leave of +absence from his office, and had notified the Duke of a return later. + +At the same time he left it to his wife to decide whether she would +remain at Furstenstein or take the trip to her old home with him, if +she wished to see her brother. Now, after fully two weeks, no one could +misconstrue her departure. The young wife had immediately chosen to go +with her husband, and had notified the Duchess that she should leave on +the morrow. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVIII. + + +Princess Sophie had arrived at Bucheneck with her lady of honor and the +elder ladies in carriages, and now attempted, above everything, to lay +hands on her illustrious nephew; but he developed an incredible aptness +at keeping out of her reach. He was everywhere except in the near +presence of his most gracious aunt, until finally she lost patience and +ordered a gentleman to call Prince Adelsberg into her presence. + +Egon had to obey this command, but he used the precaution of taking the +"lightning rod" with him. Rojanow was at his side when he stood before +the Princess. + +"Well, Egon, do I really get a glimpse of you?" was the not very +gracious reception. "You seem to have been taken possession of on all +sides to-day." + +"I am always ready for the service of my most gracious aunt," declared +Egon in honeyed accents; but the sweetness did him no good. The +Princess measured him with an annihilating glance. + +"As far as your knightly service to Frau von Wallmoden leaves you time. +She will give this chivalry a glowing mention to her husband. You may +know him, perhaps?" + +"Certainly. I revere him highly as a man, as a diplomat and as His +Excellency. Your Highness may believe that." + +"I believe you unconditionally, Egon. Your love for veracity is far +above any doubts with me," said the lady, with stinging sarcasm. "I +just happen to remember speaking the day before yesterday with the +steward of Rodeck--the old Stadinger--who is still very active for his +years." + +"But he suffers seriously from failing memory," the Prince hastened to +assure her. "I am sorry to say that Stadinger forgets everything. Is it +not so, Hartmut? He positively does not know to-day what he saw +yesterday." + +"On the contrary, I found that his memory was exceptionally fresh. +Besides, he is the oldest and truest servant of your house, +reliable--careful----" + +"And a churl," interrupted Egon, sighing. "Your Highness, you have no +idea of the unlimited gruffness which dwells in this Peter Stadinger. +He tyrannizes over Herr Rojanow and me shamefully. I have actually +thought of retiring him." + +Of course, he did not dream of that. His Highness knew better than to +make Peter Stadinger such a proposition, and would have fared badly if +he had. But Princess Sophie, who had the reputation of being very +haughty and relentless toward her servants, now favored a very mild +course. + +"You should not do that," she remonstrated. "A man who is now serving +the third generation of the ducal family may be pardoned such a thing, +particularly considering the somewhat loose housekeeping which the +young gentlemen lead at Rodeck. It seems that they do not like to see +visitors there, preferring the solitude." + +"Ah, yes, the solitude!" sighed Egon, sentimentally. "It does one so +much good after the stormy life of travel, and we enjoy it in full +draughts. I occupy myself mostly----" + +"With the taming of your wild animals," finished the Princess +maliciously. + +"No, with--with my travelling memoirs, which I intend to publish; and +Hartmut composes melancholy songs. He has just now the material for a +ballad under his pen, to which Your Highness drew his attention." + +"Why, Herr Rojanow, have you really utilized the theme?" asked the +lady, whose face now suddenly beamed with sunshine, as she turned to +the young poet. + +"Certainly, Your Highness. I am very grateful to you for the +suggestion," said Hartmut, who had not the slightest idea what the +subject was, but felt that he had to go into action now. + +"I am glad of that. I love poetry and seek it at every opportunity." + +"And with what understanding and appreciation!" cried Egon, +enthusiastically. But he quickly embraced the opportunity of slipping +away, leaving his friend behind as the victim. He hastened to the +presence of the Duchess, which meant the presence of Frau von +Wallmoden, where he seemed to feel decidedly better than with his most +gracious aunt. + +The chase was resumed after luncheon was over. It was now a hunt for +large game, which was commenced with renewed zeal. + +But the hitherto sunny weather changed in the afternoon. The sky grew +cloudy and dark, but it remained warm, almost stifling, and a heavy +bank of cloud arose in the west. It looked as if one of those late +thunderstorms was preparing, which passed at times over the Wald at +this season. + +The Duchess, with a portion of her attendants, had taken her stand upon +a hill which seemed to afford the best view, but soon the chase took +another quite unexpected direction, and the onlookers made ready to +follow. + +Frau von Wallmoden met here with a slight accident. The girth of her +saddle suddenly broke and she sprang lightly from the stirrup, thus +saving herself from a fall. It was not possible to continue her ride, +for although the accompanying groom could have given her a horse, there +was no lady's saddle at hand; consequently she had to give up further +participation, and decided to walk back to Bucheneck, to where one of +the grooms would lead her horse. + +Adelaide had requested the servant to precede her, and she lingered on +the hill which had become quiet and lonely. It almost seemed that the +accident had been welcome to her, since it relieved her from attending +the chase to the end. + +It is always a relief when one can drop a mask which has deceived the +world and can breathe in solitude, if it only brings conviction of the +heavy load one had to bear under that mask. + +Where had the cold, proud calm vanished with which the young wife had +entered her new home upon the arm of her husband? Now, when she knew +herself alone and unobserved, it could be plainly seen that she had +changed much. + +That strong will-line which had made her resemble her father so much +had become more pronounced, but besides that there was another line--a +painful one--as of a person who has to struggle with secret torture and +anxiety. The blue eyes had lost the cold, dispassionate expression. A +deep shadow rested within them which also told of struggle and pain, +and the blonde head drooped as if under an invisible but heavy load. + +And yet Adelaide drew a breath of relief at the thought that this would +be the last day she should spend at Furstenstein. By to-morrow she +would be far from here. Perhaps there would be rest in the far removal +of the dark power against which she had struggled now for weeks so +painfully, and yet so vainly. + +Perhaps she would get better if she did not see those eyes day after +day, nor hear that voice. + +When she should have fled from the enchanted circle the charm would +have to break, and now at last she could flee--oh, the happiness of it! + +The noise of the chase sounded in ever-increasing distance, and was +finally lost, but steps now sounded in the forest which encircled the +hill closely, and warned the young Baroness that she was no longer +alone. She started to leave, but at the moment she turned the one +approaching emerged from under the trees. + +Hartmut Rojanow stood before her. + +The meeting was so sudden and unexpected that Adelaide's composure was +not proof against it. She retreated to the trunk of the tree, under the +boughs of which she had been standing, as if seeking there a protection +from this man, upon whom she gazed with fixed, fearful eyes--with the +gaze of a wounded animal which sees the huntsman approach. + +Rojanow did not seem to notice it. He saluted her and asked hastily: +"You are alone, Your Excellency? The accident did not have any serious +consequences?" + +"What accident?" + +"It was said you had a fall from your horse." + +"What exaggeration! The girth broke, but I knew it in time to spring +from the stirrup, while the horse stood perfectly still--that was the +accident." + +"God be praised! I heard something of a fall--an injury--and as you did +not reappear at the chase I feared----" + +He paused, for Adelaide's glance showed him plainly that she did not +believe this pretense; probably he knew the whole occurrence and had +learned why and where Frau von Wallmoden had been left behind. She now +regained her composure. + +"I thank you, Herr Rojanow, but your being at all concerned was not +necessary," she said coldly. "You could have told yourself that had +there been a real accident the Duchess and the other ladies would not +have left me helpless in the forest. I am on my way to Bucheneck." + +She attempted to pass him. He bowed and stepped aside as if to let her +pass, but said in a low voice: + +"Gracious lady, I have yet to ask your pardon." + +"My pardon! For what?" + +"For a request which I uttered thoughtlessly and for which I have had +to suffer seriously. I only asked for a flower. Is that, then, so +severe a transgression that one should be angry over it for weeks?" + +Adelaide had paused almost without knowing it. + +Again she was under the charm of these eyes--this voice, which held her +fast as with magnetism. + +"You are mistaken, Herr Rojanow. I am not angry with you." + +"Not? And yet it is this icy tone I have always to hear since I dared +approach you in that hour. You have learned, too, to know my work, for +which I begged a recognition. You were present when I read it at +Furstenstein. My Arivana was praised overwhelmingly on all sides, but +from your mouth alone I heard no word--not one. Will you refuse it even +now?" + +"I thought we were hunting to-day," said Adelaide with an attempt to +pass the subject by, "where it is surely not admissible to speak of +poetical works." + +"We have both left the chase; it is running now toward the Rodeck +forest. There is only forest solitude here. Look at this autumn-tinted +foliage which warns so mournfully of fleeting existence--the silent +water down there, those thunder clouds in the distance. I believe there +is a more endless amount of poetry in all this than in the halls of +Furstenstein." + +He pointed to the landscape which spread out before them, but no longer +in the bright sunlight that had favored the chase at the beginning. Now +it lay in the dim light of an overcast sky, which made even the gay +foliage appear withered and dull. + +They could see far out into the mountains, which, retreating on both +sides, left the distance free. The endless ocean of forest crowns which +only a few weeks ago waved green and airily in the breeze, now bore the +color of the fall. They shone from the darkest brown to brilliant +golden yellow in every shade all around, and shining red gleamed from +the bushes and shrubs. + +The dying forest adorned itself once more with deceptive splendor, but +it was only the coloring of the passing away and dying. All life and +bloom were at an end. + +Deep in the ravine lay a little forest lake, which, dark and +motionless, seemed to dream in the wreath of reeds and rushes which +surrounded it. It resembled strangely another pond that, far away +in North Germany, lay in the midst of a pine forest--the Burgsdorf +pond--which, like this one, ended in a meadow where rich green +beckoned, nourished by the swamp and bog, hiding itself deceitfully +beneath it, and drawing the ignorant one into its depth without hope of +rescue. + +Even now in daylight it seemed to breathe fog and twilight, and when +night should descend the will-o'-the-wisp probably commenced here also +its ghostly play. + +At the horizon, where in clear weather the summits of the mountains +were visible, towered now a dark bank of clouds. As yet in the +distance, its stifling breath rested already over the Wald, and at +times a dull light flashed from it. + +Adelaide had not answered Hartmut's question. She gazed out over the +country to avoid looking into the face of the man who stood before her, +but she felt the dark, passionate look which rested upon her face, as +she had always felt it in the last weeks, as soon as Rojanow was in her +presence. + +"You are going away to-morrow, gracious lady," he commenced again. "Who +knows when you will return and when I shall see you again? May not I +beg for your opinion? May I not ask if my work has found grace in the +eyes of--Ada?" + +Her name again upon his lips; again that soft, veiled, yet passionate, +tone which she feared, and yet to which she listened as to enchanting +music! + +Adelaide felt that here she was a prisoner; there was no chance for +flight. She had to look the danger full in the face. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIX. + + +Adelaide von Wallmoden turned slowly toward her questioner, and her +features betrayed that she was determined to end the hard struggle the +struggle with her own self. + +"You play strangely with this name, Herr Rojanow," she said +emphatically and proudly. "It stood over the poem which was put into my +possession in a mysterious manner last week, written in a strange hand, +without signature----" + +"And which you read, nevertheless," he interrupted triumphantly. + +"Yes, and burned." + +"Burned!" + +From Hartmut's eyes flashed again the uncanny look which had startled +even Egon and made him exclaim, "You look like a demon!" + +The demon of hate and revenge had risen wildly against the man who had +insulted him unto death and whom he therefore wished to hurt unto +death, and yet he loved that man's wife as the son of Zalika alone +could love--with wild, consuming passion; but that which he felt at +this moment resembled hatred more than love. + +"The poor leaf," he said with ill-concealed bitterness. "And so it had +to suffer death in the flames--perhaps it deserved a better fate." + +"You ought not to have sent it to me, then. I dare not and will not +accept such poetry." + +"You dare not, gracious lady? It is the homage of a poet which he +lays at the feet of the woman who has been his from the beginning of +time--and you will concede that to him also." + +The words came but half-aloud from his lips, but so hot and passionate +that Adelaide shuddered. + +"You may pay homage like that to the women of your country, and in such +words," she said. "A German woman does not understand it." + +"But you have understood it, nevertheless," Hartmut burst forth, "and +you also understood the doctrine of the intense ardor of my Arivana, +which bears off the victory over all human laws. I saw it that evening +when you turned your back apparently so coldly upon me, while all the +others overwhelmed me with admiration. Do not deceive yourself, Ada. +When the divine spark falls into two souls it flames up, in the cold +north as well as the fervent south, and it already burns within us. In +this breath of fire, will and will-power die the death; it smothers +everything that has existed, and nothing remains but the holy, blazing +flame which shines and makes happy, even if it destroys. You love me, +Ada--I know it--do not attempt to deny it, and I--I love you +boundlessly." + +He stood before her in the stormy triumph of the victor, and his dark, +demoniacal beauty had, perhaps, never been as captivating as at this +moment, when the fire which breathed in his words burst also from his +eyes--his whole being. + +And he did speak the truth! + +The woman who leaned there against the trunk of the tree so deathly +white, loved him as only a pure, proud nature can love; that nature +which so far had lived in the delusion that her emotions would forever +lie in slumber, called by the world coldness of heart. + +Now she saw herself awaking before a passion which found a +thousand-fold echo in her own breast; now that breath of flame floated +around her also with its scorching glow; now came the test! + +"Leave me, Herr Rojanow, instantly!" cried Adelaide. + +Her voice sounded half smothered, almost inaudible, and she addressed a +man who was not wont to yield when he felt himself victorious. + +He started to approach her hastily--he suddenly stood still. There was +something in the eyes--in the bearing of the young Baroness which kept +him within bounds, but again he breathed her name in that tone, the +power of which perhaps he knew best--"Ada." + +She shuddered and made a repellent gesture. + +"Not that name. For you I am Adelaide von Wallmoden. I am married--you +know that." + +"Married to a man who stands on the border of old age, whom you do not +love, and who could not give you any love if he were young. That cold, +calculating nature knows no emotion of passion. The Court, his +position, his promotion, are everything to him--his wife, nothing. He +perhaps boasts of the possession of a jewel which he does not know how +to value, and for which another would give his soul's eternal bliss." + +Adelaide's lips quivered. She knew only too well that he was right, but +she did not answer. + +"And what binds you to this man?" continued Rojanow, still more +impressively. "A word--a single 'Yes' uttered by you without knowing +its full meaning--without knowing yourself. Shall it bind you for your +life? Shall it make us both miserable? No, Ada, love the eternal, +undying right of the human heart does not bow before that. People may +call it guilt, they may call it doom. We stand now under this doom, and +must follow it; a single word shall not part us." + +Far off at the horizon the flame burst up with such glaring light that +it shone also over the opening on the hill. + +Hartmut stood for a moment in this light. He was now so fully the son +of his mother; resembling so closely her beautiful but pernicious +features; but it was that flash of lightning that brought Adelaide back +to consciousness; or had it shown her the unholy fire which burned in +his eyes? She retreated with an expression of unveiled horror. + +"A solemnly given and accepted word is a vow," she said slowly, "and he +who breaks it breaks his honor." + +Hartmut started. Sudden and glaring like that flash of lightning flamed +up a remembrance in his mind--the resemblance of that hour when he had +given a solemn word--a word of honor, and--had broken it! + +Adelaide von Wallmoden straightened her slender figure; her features +still showed the deathly pallor as she continued in a low but steady +tone to Rojanow: + +"Abandon this persecution which I have felt for weeks. I shudder before +you--at your eyes, your words. I feel that it is destruction that goes +out from you, and one does not love that." + +"Ada!" + +Passionate entreaty sounded in the word, but the low voice of Adelaide +gained firmness quickly as she continued: + +"And you do not love me. It has often seemed to me as if it were your +hatred that pursued me. You and your kind cannot love." + +Rojanow kept silence in bewilderment. Who taught this young woman, +still so inexperienced in life, to look so deeply into his inmost +heart? He had not made clear to himself yet how inseparably hate and +love were combined in his passion. + +"And you tell this to the writer of Arivana!" he burst out in +bitterness. "They have called my work the high song of love----" + +"Then they have let themselves be deceived by the veil of the Oriental +legend in which you shrouded your characters. They saw then only the +East Indian priest sink with his beloved one under an iron, inhuman +law. You are perhaps a great poet, and perhaps the world overwhelms you +with praise, but it tells me something different--this fervent, ardent +doctrine of your Arivana. It has taught me to know its creator--a man +who does not believe in anything, and to whom nothing in the world is +sacred; no duty and no vow; no man's honor and no woman's virtue--who +would not hesitate to drag the highest into the dust as play for his +passion. I still believe in duty and honor; I still believe in myself, +and with this faith I offer defiance to the doom you hold so +triumphantly before me. I could force myself to death, but never to +your arms!" + +She stood before him, not as just now in trembling fear--in the +tortured wrestling with a secret struggle, It seemed as if, with each +of the annihilating words, one ring of the chain which held possession +of her so mysteriously was broken. Her eyes met fully and freely the +dark look which had kept her a prisoner so long; the charm was broken +now and she felt it, and breathed like one rescued. + +Again that flash in the distance--noiseless, without the rumbling of +thunder--but it was as if heaven had opened in all its vastness. +Fantastic formation of clouds was in this flaring light--forms which +seemed to wrestle and struggle with each other, born of the storm, and +yet that bank of cloud stood motionless at the horizon--and just as +motionless stood the man, whose dark features showed now an ashy +paleness in the glare of the lightning. + +His eyes were fixed upon the young woman, but the wild fire in +them had died out, and his voice had a strange sound as he said: "And +this is the opinion I asked for? I am nothing more in your eyes than +an--outcast?" + +"A lost man, perhaps. You have forced me to this confession." + +Hartmut slowly retreated a few steps. + +"Lost!" he repeated hoarsely. "In your meaning, perhaps, yes. You may +rest assured, gracious lady, I shall not approach you any more. One +does not desire to hear such words a second time--you stand so high and +proud upon your virtue and, judge so severely. Of course you have no +idea what a hot, wild life can make of a person who wanders restlessly, +without home and family, through the world. You are right--I have not +believed in anything, either upon high or here upon the earth--until +this hour." + +There was something in his tone, in his whole bearing, that disarmed +Adelaide. She felt that she would not have to fear another burst of his +passion, and her voice softened involuntarily at her answer. + +"I do not judge anybody; but with my whole mind and being I belong to +another world, with other laws than yours. I am the daughter of an +idolized father, who, all of his life, knew but one road that of +earnest, severe duty. On that he worked himself up from poverty and +want to wealth and honor. He led his children along this road, and his +memory is the shield which covers me in every hard hour. I could not +bear it if I had to cast down my eyes before the picture of my memory. +You probably have no father?"---- + +A long, heavy pause ensued. Hartmut did not answer, but his head sank +under those words, the crushing weight of which the Baroness had no +idea, and his eyes were upon the ground. + +"No," he at last replied, hoarsely. + +"But you have the memory of him and your mother." + +"My mother!" Rojanow started up suddenly and violently. "Do not speak +of her in this hour--do not speak to me of my mother." + +It was an outburst of mingled bitterness, of accusation and despair. +The mother was being judged by her son in this exclamation. He rejected +her memory as a desecration of this hour. + +Adelaide did not understand him; she saw only that she had touched a +topic which did not admit of explanation, and she also saw that the +man who stood before her now with this dark look--with this tone of +despair--was a different being from that one who had approached her a +quarter of an hour ago. It was a dark, mysterious depth into which she +gazed, but it no longer caused her fear. + +"Let us end this conversation," she said earnestly. "You will not seek +a second one--I trust you. But one more word before we part. You are a +poet. I felt it in spite of all when I heard your work, and poets are +teachers of mankind. They can lead to happiness or destruction. The +wild flames of your Arivana seem to burst forth from the depths of a +life which you yourself seem to hate. Look there!" She pointed into the +distance, which was now lighted up again in a flaming glow. "Those are +also signs of flame, but they come from on high, and they point to +another road---- Farewell!" + + * * * * * + +She had disappeared long ago, but Hartmut still stood as if rooted to +the ground. He had not replied with one word--had made no motion; he +only looked with hot, fixed eyes to where now one flash of lightning +after another tore the clouds asunder, shrouding the whole country with +a fiery cloak, and then he looked at the little forest lake which +resembled so closely that one at Burgsdorf, with its waving reed and +the deceiving, foggy meadow, which here also pressed so close to the +water. + +The boy had once dreamed among such whispering rushes of soaring +up like the falcon of which his race bore the name, in boundless +freedom--ever higher toward the sun--and at the same place the decision +over his fate had been made on that dark autumn night, when the +will-o'-the-wisp led its ghostly dance. + +But the deserter had not risen to the sun--the earth had held him fast; +the rich, green meadow had drawn him down deeper and deeper. He had +felt at times that the intoxicating cup of freedom and life which the +hand of his mother gave him was poisoned, but no precious memory +shielded him; he did not dare to think of his father. + +Over there in the distance the forms of cloud struggled and wrestled +wilder and wilder; closer and closer together they drew, and in the +midst of this struggle and this darkness the flames again burst +victoriously--the powerful flames from on high. + + + + + CHAPTER XXX. + + +The winter social life had commenced at the Residenz, where the +professional element played a conspicuous role. The Duke, who loved and +encouraged art, took great pride in gathering renowned members of it +into his presence, seeking to retain them in his capitol, and, of +course, society followed largely in the same direction. + +The young poet who was being so highly favored by the Court, and whose +first large work was to appear on the court stage, was from the first +an interesting person to everybody, and the tales which were told about +him served to increase this interest. + +It was very unusual for a Roumanian to compose his work in the German +language, even when it was whispered that he had received his education +in Germany. Besides that, he was the bosom friend, and the guest here +in town also, of Prince Adelsberg, and all sorts of touching and +wonderful stories were narrated about this friendship. + +Above all, Hartmut's personality gave him a favored position wherever +he went. The young, handsome, highly-gifted stranger, whom a +half-romantic, half-mysterious air surrounded, had only to make his +appearance even here to draw all eyes upon him. + +The rehearsal of Arivana had commenced immediately after the return of +the ducal party to the Residenz, under the personal supervision of the +poet; while Prince Adelsberg, who in his enthusiasm for the work of his +friend, had changed into a kind of manager, made life hard to the +performers by all sorts of requests in regard to the filling of +characters and the setting of the play. + +He knew how to get his way, and the scenery and setting were brilliant; +the roles were all filled by the first talent of the Court Theatre, and +even the opera singers were called into service, since one of the roles +required a rather extensive part of song. One could not expect this +from an actress, therefore a young singer--Marietta Volkmar--was +entrusted with it. + +The performance of the play, which was to have taken place at a later +date, was being hastened as much as possible, as guests were expected +at Court, and the new drama, which toyed so poetically and airily with +the Indian legend as a background, was to be performed before the +illustrious guests. An unusual success was anticipated. + +This was the state of affairs at the return of Herbert von Wallmoden, +who was naturally painfully surprised. Although he had learned from a +casual question to his wife that Rojanow still kept up his intercourse +at Furstenstein, and although he had not counted upon a sudden +disappearance on Rojanow's part which would necessarily have caused +comment, still he had been of the firm opinion that in spite of his +haughty decision to remain, Hartmut would consider it again and make +his retreat as soon as Prince Adelsberg left Rodeck. Surely he would +not dare to appear at the Prince's side at the Residenz, where his stay +might be made impossible through those threatened "explanations." + +But the Ambassador had not counted upon the unyielding defiance of the +man who ventured and dared a high game here. Now, after a few weeks, he +found him in a favored position in every respect and in closest +intercourse with the court society. + +If now, just before the performance of the drama which the Duke favored +so decidedly, and of which the whole town was already talking, one +should publish the disclosures of the former life of the poet, it would +touch all circles unpleasantly and appear malicious. + +The experienced diplomat did not deceive himself about the fact that +the deep displeasure which would doubtless take possession of the Duke +would then fall back upon himself, because he had not spoken before at +the first appearance of Rojanow. Nothing was left for him to do but to +keep silence and await developments. + +Wallmoden was far from having an idea that a heavy danger had +threatened himself from that quarter. He supposed that his wife knew +Hartmut only as a companion of Prince Adelsberg. She had never +mentioned the name since, after her arrival in Berlin, she answered a +seemingly careless question just as carelessly, and he had also kept +silence. She must not and should not learn anything of those old +connections which he had kept from her from the beginning. + +But he dared not be silent toward his nephew, Willibald, if he did not +wish to live to see another scene of recognition like that upon the +Hochberg. + +The young lord had accompanied his relatives to South Germany; was to +remain but a few days at the Residenz, and go from there to +Furstenstein to his betrothed, for the Chief Forester had specially +requested that the visit, which was so suddenly broken off in +September, should be finished now. + +"You were here barely a week," he wrote to his sister-in-law, "and now +I beg for my son-in-law a little longer. Everything has been put in +order now at your much-loved Burgsdorf, and there is not much to do in +November. Therefore at least send us Willy if you cannot get off. A +refusal will not be accepted. Toni expects her betrothed." + +Frau von Eschenhagen saw that he was right and was willing to send +Willy--for she, of course, decided the matter. He had made no new +attempt to rebel against the maternal ruling, and seemed, anyway, to +have come to his senses completely again. He was, perhaps, more quiet +than before, and threw himself with quite unusual zeal into his +agricultural work after his return, but otherwise bore himself +especially well. + +He remained obstinate only upon one point: he would not speak with his +mother about that "silliness" which had caused the sudden departure, +and avoided every explanation concerning it. Apparently he was ashamed +of that quickly-flaming affection, which probably had never been +serious, and did not wish to be reminded of it. + +He wrote frequently to his fiancee, and received just as punctual +replies. The correspondence, however, was more of a practical than a +tender nature, and mostly concerned plans for their future lives and +farm arrangements; but one saw from this that the young lord considered +his marriage, for which the day had been set, as quite decided, and +Frau Regine, who deemed it her indisputable right to read all of the +letters of the engaged couple, declared herself satisfied with them. + +So Willibald received a gracious permission to visit his betrothed, +which was now so much less hazardous since the dangerous little +person--Marietta Volkmar--was at present at the Residenz, where her +position kept her. But to be quite sure, Frau von Eschenhagen put her +son under the protection of her brother, who, with his wife, had paid a +brief visit to Burgsdorf upon his return from the Stahlberg works. + +If Willibald, during the two or three days of his visit at the +Residenz, remained at Wallmoden's house and went with them exclusively, +no danger was to be feared. + +The Ambassador saw soon after his arrival that he would be forced to +enlighten his nephew regarding Hartmut Rojanow, for the name was +mentioned on all sides already the first day. Willy, who at that former +time had been the confidant of the secret rendezvous of Hartmut and his +mother, and knew her name, started upon hearing it, coupled with a +remark that a young Roumanian was the gifted poet, which made him still +more suspicious. + +He glanced in perplexity at his uncle, who managed to signal to him +just in time not to question any further, and who then embraced the +first opportunity to tell him the truth. + +He did this, of course, in the most inconsiderate manner, and presented +Hartmut as an adventurer of the worst kind, whom he would in a very +short time force to give up the role which he was playing here, without +being in the least entitled to it. + +Poor Willibald's head swam at the news. His bosom friend--to whom he +had always been attached with the fondest affection, and to whom he +still clung in spite of the harsh sentence which was being pronounced +upon him--was here in his immediate vicinity, and he was not to go to +see him--was not even to recognize him if chance should bring about a +meeting. Wallmoden especially impressed the latter upon his nephew, +who, quite stunned, promised obedience and silence, as well toward +Adelaide as to his fiancee and the Chief Forester; but he could not +understand the thing by a long shot yet. He needed time for that as for +everything. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXI. + + +The day upon which Arivana was to be presented had arrived. It was the +first work of a young author and quite unknown poet, but the +circumstances made it a professional event, which was viewed by +everybody with intensest interest. + +From the earliest hour the Court Theatre was filled to its utmost +capacity, and now the ducal couple also appeared with their guests to +occupy the large court box. Although not formally announced, the +performance had the character of a benefit, to which the brilliantly +lighted house and the rich costumes and uniforms bore witness. + +Prince Adelsberg, who appeared in the court box, was as excited as if +he had written the drama himself. Besides, he found himself in as rare +as joyful accord with his most gracious aunt, who had called him to +her, and was speaking about the work of the poet. + +"Our young friend seems to have caprices like all poets," she remarked. +"What a notion to change the name of the heroine at the last moment!" + +"It did not happen at exactly the last moment," replied Egon. "The +change was made at Rodeck. Hartmut suddenly took a notion that the name +'Ada' was too cold and pure for his fiery heroine, and so her name was +changed forthwith." + +"But the name Ada stands on the programme," said the Princess. + +"Yes, but it has been turned over to an entirely different character of +the drama, who appears only in one scene." + +"So Rojanow has made changes since his reading at Furstenstein?" + +"Only a few; the piece itself has remained quite the same, except the +changing of names and that short appearance of Ada; but I assure Your +Highness this scene which Hartmut has added to the play is the most +beautiful thing he has ever written." + +"Yes, of course, you find everything beautiful which comes from the pen +of your friend," said the Princess, but the indulgent smile with which +she dismissed the Prince showed that she was of the same opinion. + +In one of the proscenium boxes were seen the Prussian Ambassador and +his wife--returned only a day or two from his vacation. His presence at +the theatre to-day was indeed not of his free will, for he would gladly +have remained away from this performance, but dared not out of +consideration for his position. The Duke himself had disposed of the +boxes, and had invited the foreign diplomats and their ladies; there +was no possibility of remaining away, particularly as Herr and Frau von +Wallmoden had, only a few hours previously, participated in a large +dinner at the ducal palace. + +Willibald, who had won permission from his uncle to at least get +acquainted with the work of his friend, sat in the parquette. Wallmoden +was not pleased with his presence here, but could not well forbid him +what he was going to do himself. Willy, who with difficulty had found a +seat, had not thought that a member of the opera could be employed in +the theatre, but when he opened the programme and came suddenly upon +the name of "Marietta Volkmar," whom he was to see to-night, he folded +the paper with a quick gesture and hid it in his pocket, regretting now +sorely having come to the theatre. + +The performance now commenced. The curtain rose and the first scene +passed quickly. It was a kind of preface, to acquaint the audience with +the strange, fantastic world into which they were to be introduced. + +Arivana, the ancient, sacred place of sacrifice, appeared in a +magnificent and appropriate setting. The most prominent character of +the piece, the young priest, who, in the fanaticism of his belief, +renounces utterly everything worldly and unholy, enters, and the vow +which removes him for time and eternity from the world, and binds him +body and soul to his deity, resounds in powerful, soulful verse. + +The vow was offered--the sacred fire flamed high, and the curtain fell. + +Applause, for which the Duke gave the signal, came from all sides. +Although it was assured that a work which was encouraged and favored so +by all should have a certain success, at least upon its opening night, +there was something else mingled in the applause. The audience already +felt that a poet spoke to them; his creation had perhaps needed the +approval of the Court, but now, since it was before them, it sustained +itself. One was attracted and held by the language--the characters--by +the theme of the drama, which already betrayed itself in its principal +features, and when the curtain rose afresh, intense, expectant silence +rested over the vast audience hall. + +And now the drama developed upon a background as rich and glowing in +color as were its language and its characters. The magnificent verdure, +the fairy-like splendor of its temples and palaces, the people with +their wild hatred and wilder love, and the severe, iron laws of their +belief--all, all, was fantastic and strange; but the feeling and acting +of these people were familiar to every one, for they stood under the +power which was the same centuries ago, as to-day, and which takes root +the same under the glowing sky of the tropics as in the cold North--the +passion and power of the human heart. + +This was indeed a "glowing doctrine," and it preached without restraint +the right of the passions to storm over law and institutions--over +oaths and vows--to reach their aims; a right such as Hartmut Rojanow +had understood and practised with his unreined will, who recognized no +law or duty, but who was all in all unto himself. + +The awakening of the passion--its powerful growth, its final +triumph--were all depicted in transporting language, in words and acts +which seemed to originate, now from the pure heights of the ideal, and +now from the depths of an abyss. + +Not in vain had the poet shrouded his characters in the veil of +Oriental legend, but under this veil he dared to speak and indorse that +which would hardly have been permitted him, and he did it with a +boldness which threw igniting sparks into the hearts of the listeners, +enchaining them demoniacally. + +Arivana's success was assured already at the second act. The work was +done by artists who belonged to the best on the stage, and they were +doing the best playing ever witnessed. Those taking the principal roles +especially acted with the perfection of abandon which only real +enthusiasm can give. + +The heroine's name was no longer Ada. Another form now bore this +name--one who was strangely foreign to this excited picture of +passions; one of those tender, half-fairy-like beings with whom the +Indian legends inhabit the snow dwellings upon the icy heights of the +Himalayas--cold and pure as the eternal snow which shines upon them. + +Only in one single instance, in the parting scene, she floated on +spirit's wings through the stormy, excited gathering, remonstrating, +entreating, warning; and Egon was right. The words which the poet had +put into her lips were, perhaps, the most beautiful of the entire +drama. It burst suddenly like pure, heavenly light into the flaming +glow of a crater; but the scene was as short as beautiful. Quick as a +breath the apparition disappeared again into her snow dwelling, and +down yonder at the moonlit bank of the river floated the entrancing +song of the Hindoo girl--Marietta Volkmar's soft, swelling voice--under +the coaxing charm of which the cry of warning from the heights was +dispelled and unheeded. + +The last act brought the tragic end; the breaking of the doom over the +guilty pair; the death in the flames. This death was no atonement, but +a triumph--"a shining, divine death," and with the flames there also +flared up to heaven the demoniacal doctrine of the unconditional right +of the passions. + +The curtain sank for the last time, and the applause, which had +increased after every act, now grew to a storm. Usually the applause at +the court performances was kept within measured bounds, but to-day it +broke over the barriers. The flames of Arivana had kindled the +enthusiasm with which the whole house demanded the appearance of the +author. + +Hartmut finally appeared--without embarrassment or timidity--glowing +with pride and joy; he bowed acknowledgment to the audience, which +today offered him a drink he had never yet tasted in his wildly tossed +life. They were intoxicating, these first sips from the cup of fame, +and with this intoxicating knowledge, the celebrated poet now looked up +to the proscenium box, whose occupants he had long ago recognized. He +did not find, however, what he sought. Adelaide was leaning back in her +chair, and her face was hidden by her open fan. He saw only the cold, +unmoved face of the man who had insulted him so deeply, and who was now +a witness of his triumph. + +Wallmoden understood only too well what the flash of those dark eyes +told him: "Do you dare yet to despise me?" + + + + + CHAPTER XXXII. + + +The following morning at an early hour Willibald von Eschenhagen walked +through the park, which he wanted to see--at least so he had told his +uncle. + +The large, forest-like park which was situated directly before the +city, was indeed worth seeing, but Willibald paid no attention to the +landscape, which did not look very inviting this bleak November day. + +Without a glance to right or left he walked quickly forward, taking +aimlessly now this and now that path, without noticing that he +repeatedly returned to the same spot. It seemed as if he wished with +this stormy walk to calm an inner unrest; he had really gone out to be +alone in the free, open air. + +The young lord tried to persuade himself that it was only the meeting +again with the friend of his youth that had taken him so completely out +of his composure. He had not heard anything of Hartmut for fully ten +years--did not even dare to mention him at home, and now he suddenly +saw the lost one again, with the halo of a growing poetical glory +around his head. Deeply and wonderfully changed in appearance and +manner, in spite of all he was still the Hartmut with whom he had +played his boyish games so often. He should have recognized him at the +first glance without having been prepared for the meeting. + +Wallmoden, on the contrary, seemed to be disagreeably surprised at +yesterday's success. He had hardly spoken during the drive home; his +wife as little. She had stated in the carriage that the hot air of the +theatre had given her an intolerable headache, and retired immediately +upon their arrival home. The Ambassador followed her example, and when +he gave his hand to his nephew, who wished him good-night, he said +curtly: "Our understanding remains the same, Willibald. You are to keep +silence toward everybody, whoever it be. Look out that you do not +betray yourself, for the name Rojanow will be in everybody's mouth +during the next few days. He has had luck again this time--like all +adventurers." + +Willibald had accepted the remark silently, but he still felt that it +was something else which gave the author of Arivana this success. + +Under other circumstances he would have considered this work as +something unheard of--incomprehensible--without understanding it, but, +strange to say, the understanding for it had dawned upon him yesterday. + +One could fall in love without the solemn approval of the respected +parents, guardians and relations; it happened not only in India, but it +happened here sometimes, too. One could also incautiously and hastily +burden oneself with a vow and break it--but what then? + +Yes, then came the doom which Hartmut had pictured so horribly and yet +so fascinatingly. Willy was transporting in earnest the highly romantic +teachings of Arivana into Burgsdorf affairs, and the doom suddenly +assumed the features of Frau von Eschenhagen, who, in her wrath, was +surely worse than an angry caste of priests. + +The young lord heaved a deep sigh. He thought of the second act of the +play, when, from the circle of Hindoo girls who marched to the place of +sacrifice, a delicate figure had stepped forth, inexpressibly charming +in the white, flowing garments, and the wreath of flowers in her curls. +His eyes had hung riveted upon her, who appeared but twice or thrice +upon the stage, but after that her song had sounded from the banks of +the moonlit river. It was the same clear, sweet voice which had +enchanted the listener at Waldhofen, and now the old mischief, which he +had struggled down and thought forgotten, was back again. It stood +before him with giant size, and the worst of it was that he did not +even consider it longer as a mischief. + +The tireless walker now came for the third time to a small temple, open +in front, and in which stood a statue, while a bench in the background +invited one to rest. + +Willibald entered this time and sat down, less from a desire to rest +than to be able to follow his thoughts undisturbed. + +It was, perhaps, ten o'clock in the morning, and the paths were at this +hour almost deserted. Only a solitary pedestrian--a young man elegantly +dressed--walked leisurely and with apparent aimlessness along the +paths. He seemed to be expecting some one, for he glanced impatiently +now toward town, and now toward the Parkstrasse which bordered the park +for some distance. + +Suddenly he came toward the temple and took his stand behind it, where +he could keep the path in view without being seen. + +In about five minutes a young lady came from the city--a delicate, +graceful figure, in dark cloak and fur cape, with her fur cap pressed +closely down upon her curly head, and a muff in her hand, from which +peeped a roll of music. She was passing the temple quickly, when +suddenly she uttered an ejaculation of displeased surprise: + +"Ah--Count Westerburg!" + +The young man had approached and bowed. + +"What a happy coincidence! How could I hope that Fraulein Marietta +Volkmar would take so early a walk in the park!" + +Marietta stood still and measured the speaker from head to foot. Her +voice had a half-angry, half-contemptuous sound as she answered: + +"I do not believe in this coincidence, Herr Count. You cross my path +too often and persistently for that, although I have shown you +sufficiently how annoying your attentions are to me." + +"Yes, you are endlessly cruel to me," said the Count, reproachfully, +but with undeniable impertinence. "You do not accept my calls, refuse +my flowers and offerings, and do not even return my greetings when I +pass you by. What have I done to you? I have ventured to lay homage at +your feet in the form of jewels, which you returned to me----" + +"With the request that you discontinue such impertinences once for +all," interrupted the young girl vehemently. "I protest, besides, +against your continued advances. You have actually lain in wait for me +here." + +"Mon Dieu! I only wished to beg your pardon for that boldness," assured +Count Westerburg, apparently submissive, but at the same time he +stepped into the middle of the narrow path, so that it was impossible +to pass. "I might have known that you are unapproachable, for everybody +protests that none protects her name so jealously as you, beautiful +Marietta." + +"My name is Fraulein Volkmar!" cried Marietta, angrily. "Keep your +flattering speeches for those who allow such things to be told them. I +shall not do it, and if your advances do not cease I shall have to call +in protection." + +"Whose protection?" sneered the Count. "Perhaps that of the old lady +with whom you live and who is always and everywhere at your side, +except in your walk to Professor Marani. The singing studies at the old +gentleman's are not dangerous, and that is the only walk you take +alone." + +"Then you knew that I went to the Parkstrasse at this hour! Then it is +actually an attack! Please let me pass. I wish to go." + +She tried to pass by him, but the young man stretched out his arms so +that he filled the path. + +"You will assuredly permit me to accompany you, mein Fraulein. Only +look, the path is quite lonely and deserted; there is not a soul +around. I really must offer you my escort." + +The path seemed, indeed, quite deserted, and another girl might have +been intimidated by this reference to her defencelessness, but the +little Marietta only drew herself up undauntedly. + +"Do not dare to attempt to follow me by even a step." she cried in +deepest anger. "Your escort is just as unbearable to me as your +presence. How often must I tell you that?" + +"Ah, so angry!" cried the Count with a malicious smile. "Well, I shall +not have ventured this attack for nothing. I shall at least repay +myself with a kiss from those charming, angry lips." + +He actually prepared to fulfil his threat, approaching the quickly +retreating girl, but at that moment, propelled by an awful blow, he +flew to one side and fell full length upon the damp ground, where he +remained lying in a very pitiable plight. + +Startled at this unexpected and stormy succor, Marietta turned around, +and her face, flushed from insult and anger, bore expression of great +amazement as she recognized her deliverer, who now stood at her side, +looking wrathfully at the form upon the ground, as if it were his +highest desire to quite finish him. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen--you!" + +In the meantime Count Westerburg had struggled painfully to his feet +and now drew near his aggressor threateningly. + +"How dare you! Who gives you the right----" + +"I advise you to remain ten feet away from this young lady," +interrupted Willibald, placing himself in front of Marietta, "or you +will fly off again, and the second blow might not prove as soft as the +first." + +The Count, a slender, far from powerful man, measured the giant before +him, whose fist he had already felt, but one look was enough to +convince him that he would come out second best in an encounter. + +"You will give me satisfaction--if you are worth it," he hissed in a +half-choked voice. "Probably you do not know whom you have before +you----" + +"An impudent fellow whom one chastises with pleasure," said Willy +stolidly. "Please remain standing where you are, or I will do it now. +My name is Willibald von Eschenhagen. I am lord of Burgsdorf, and can +be found at the mansion of the Prussian Ambassador if you should have +more to tell me---- If you please, mein Fraulein, you may trust +yourself unhesitatingly to my protection. I pledge myself that you will +not be molested further." + +And now something unprecedented, unheard of, happened. Herr von +Eschenhagen, without stammering, without showing embarrassment of any +kind, offered his arm with a genuinely chivalrous movement to the young +lady, and carried her off without concerning himself further about the +Count. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXIII. +Marietta had accepted the proffered arm without speaking a word until, +having reached a considerable distance, she commenced, with a timidity +otherwise foreign to her manner: "Herr von Eschenhagen----" + +"Mein Fraulein." + +"I--I am very grateful for your protection, but the Count--you have +insulted him--even with a blow. He will challenge you and you will have +to accept it." + +"Of course, with the greatest pleasure," said Willy, and his face was +beaming as if the prospect gave him unmixed delight. + +His awkward, embarrassed manner had suddenly disappeared; he felt +himself a hero and deliverer, and enjoyed the new position immensely. + +Marietta looked at him in speechless amazement. + +"But it is awful that this should happen for my sake!" she commenced +again, "and that it should be just you." + +"Perhaps that is not agreeable to you," said the young lord, who in his +present elated mood took offence at the last remark. "But Fraulein, in +such a case one has no choice. Forced by necessity, you had to accept +me as protector, even if I did not stand very high in your esteem." + +A burning blush spread over Marietta's face at the remembrance of that +hour when she had poured out her supreme contempt on the man who now +took her part so gallantly. + +"I thought only of Toni and her father," she returned in a low voice. +"I am blameless in this matter, but if I should be the cause of your +being torn from your fiancee----" + +"Toni must accept it then as providential," said Willy, upon whom +the mention of his betrothed made little impression. "One can +lose his life anywhere, and one must not always expect the worst +consequences----Where shall I carry you, Fraulein? To the Parkstrasse? +I believe I heard that you wished to go there." + +She shook her head quickly. + +"No, no! I intended going to Professor Marani, who is teaching me a new +role, but I cannot sing now--it is impossible. Let us look for a +carriage; we may find one over there. I would like to go home." + +Willibald turned his steps at once in the appointed direction, and they +walked on silently to the edge of the park, where several cabs were +standing. + +The young girl stopped here and looked anxiously and entreatingly at +her companion. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen must it really be? Cannot the matter be smoothed +over?" + +"Hardly: I have given the Count a heavy blow and called him an impudent +fellow, and shall stand to that, of course, if it should come to any +explanation; but do not worry about that. The affair will probably be +settled with a few scratches by tomorrow or the day after." + +"And must I remain two or three days in this anxious uncertainty? Will +you not at least send me word about it?" + +Willibald looked into the dark, tearful eyes, and with that look there +came into his eyes that strange sudden glow as on that day when he +heard the voice of the "_singvoegelchen_" for the first time. + +"If everything passes off happily I shall come myself and bring you +word," he replied. "May I?" + +"Oh, certainly, certainly. But if an accident occurs--if you should +fall?" + +"Then keep me in better remembrance than heretofore, mein Fraulein," +said Willibald, earnestly and cordially. "You must have considered me a +great coward--oh, do not say anything! You were right. I felt it myself +bitterly enough--but it was my mother whom I was accustomed to obey, +and who loves me very much. But you shall see now that I know how a man +must act when a defenceless girl is being insulted in his presence. I +will now erase, if need be, with my blood, that bad hour." + +Without giving her time to reply he called one of the waiting cabs, +opened the door, and gave the driver the street and number which +Marietta had given him. She entered the carriage and stretched out her +little hand to him once more. He held it for a moment, then the young +girl threw herself back upon the cushion with a stifled sob, and the +carriage rolled away. + +Willy followed it with his eyes until nothing more could be seen of it, +then he drew himself up and said with a kind of grim satisfaction: "Now +take care, Herr Count! It will be a real pleasure to me now to fire +until sight and hearing leave me." + + + + + CHAPTER XXXIV. + + +Twilight came on early this bleak November day, and the Adelsberg +palace was already lighted when the Prince, returning from a short +drive, reached the portal. + +"Is Herr Rojanow in his rooms?" he inquired of the servant who hastened +up. + +"At your service, Your Highness," the man replied, bowing low. + +"Order the carriage at nine o'clock. We drive to the ducal palace." + +Egon mounted the stairs and entered the apartments of his friend, which +adjoined his own on the first floor, and which, like all the rest of +the princely house, were furnished with antique splendor. + +A lamp burned upon the table of the sitting-room. Hartmut lay stretched +upon a lounge in a position indicative of utter weariness and +exhaustion. + +"Are you resting upon your laurels?" asked the Prince, laughing and +drawing near. "I cannot blame you, for you have not had a moment's +peace to-day. It is really a rather trying business to be a new rising +star in the poetical firmament; nerve is required for it. The people +actually fight each other for the honor of being allowed to tell you +flatteries. You have held a grand reception today." + +"Yes, and now we have to go to the Court besides," said Hartmut in a +weary voice. The prospect seemed to have no charm for him. + +"We must, indeed. The illustrious ladies and gentlemen wish also to +bring their homage to the poet--my most gracious aunt at their head. +You know she is a kind of _bel-esprit_, and believes to have found a +kindred soul in you. Thank God, she does not order me to her side so +continually, and perhaps through this she will forget those unfortunate +schemes for my marriage. But you seem to be very unappreciative of the +ducal favors which rained upon you yesterday. What is the matter? You +hardly answer. Are you not well?" + +"I am tired. I wish I could escape all this noise and flee to the quiet +of Rodeck." + +"Rodeck! Ah, it must be charming there at present, with the November +fogs, and the wet, leafless forests! Brrr! a real spook's haunt!" + +"Nevertheless, I have a real longing for that gloomy solitude, and I +shall go there soon for a few days. I hope you have no objections?" + +"I have very many objections to it," exclaimed Egon, indignantly. "What +notion is this, I beg of you? Now, when the whole town lifts the poet +of Arivana upon the shield, will you withdraw your honored presence and +escape all the triumphs and attentions to bury yourself alive in a +haunted little forest nook, which is only bearable in sunshine! +Everybody will find it incomprehensible." + +"I don't care. I need solitude now. I go to Rodeck." + +Egon shook his head. Although he was accustomed to seeing his friend +act in this domineering, inconsiderate manner whenever the notion +seized him, and had himself spoiled him in this respect with all his +might, the present idea seemed too preposterous. + +"I believe my most gracious aunt is right," he said half reproachfully, +half jestingly. "She remarked yesterday at the theatre, 'Our young poet +has caprices like all of his class.' I think so, too. What is the +matter now, really, Hartmut? Yesterday and to-day you beamed with +triumph, and now I have left you hardly an hour, when I find you in a +regular attack of melancholy. Have the papers annoyed you? Perhaps it +is some malicious, envious critic?" + +He pointed to the writing table, where the evening papers lay. + +"No, no," returned Rojanow quickly. But he turned his head so that his +face was in shadow. "The papers contain only general remarks so far, +and they are all flattering. You know that I am subject to such moods, +which often overcome me without cause." + +"Yes, I know that, but now that good luck overwhelms you on all sides, +those moods should absent themselves. But you really look haggard--that +comes from the excitement through which both of us have passed during +these last few weeks." + +He bent over his friend with concern, and Hartmut, in rising regret for +his brusque manner, stretched out his hand. + +"Forgive me, Egon. You must have patience with me--it will pass off." + +"I hope so, for I want to do proud with my poet to-night. But I will go +now, so that you can rest. Do not let anybody disturb you. We have +still three hours before we have to go." + +The Prince left the room. He had not seen the bitter expression +trembling around Hartmut's mouth when he spoke of his overwhelming good +fortune, and yet he had spoken the truth. Fame was happiness--perhaps +the highest in life--and to-day had confirmed the triumph of yesterday, +until suddenly, an hour ago, a sharp discord had fallen into the +flattering tune. + +The young poet had scanned the papers which he found upon his table on +his return. They did not contain explicit remarks about Arivana, but +recognized unanimously the great success and powerful impression of the +work, and promised detailed criticism the next day. + +Suddenly, in turning to the last page, Hartmut came upon a name, at the +sight of which intense, anxious surprise overwhelmed him. + +The next moment, however, he recognized that he was not the one +concerned in the article. It stated that the last journey of the +Prussian Ambassador to Berlin seemed to have been of greater importance +than was at first supposed. In an audience with the Duke immediately +after his return, Herr von Wallmoden had apparently brought some very +important things to light; and now, a high-standing Prussian officer, +who was the bearer of important messages to His Highness, was expected. +It doubtless concerned military matters, and Colonel Hartmut von +Falkenried would arrive in a few days. + +Hartmut dropped the paper as if it had suddenly become red-hot iron. +His father would come to this place and would certainly hear everything +from Wallmoden--_must_ hear everything. The chance of meeting was then +very probable. + +"When you shall have gained a great, proud future, approach him again +and ask if he still dares to despise you." + +Zalika had whispered it to her son when he struggled against +flight--against the breaking of his word of honor. Now the beginning of +his future was made. The name Rojanow already bore the laurel of the +poet, and with that the whole past was erased. It should be--it must +be! This conviction flashed in the glance which Hartmut had thrown so +triumphantly up to the Ambassador's box yesterday. + +But now, when it meant the meeting of his father's eyes, the defiant +one trembled. Those eyes were the only thing upon earth that he feared. + +Hartmut was half decided to go to Rodeck and return only when he heard +through the papers that "the high-standing officer" had left the +Residenz. + +Yet something kept him here--a secret but burning longing. Perhaps the +hour of reconciliation had now come when the poet's fame rose so +brilliantly; perhaps Falkenried would see now that such a power needed +liberty and life to develop, and would pardon the unfortunate, boyish +folly which, with his views, had hurt him so deeply. + +Was he not his child? his only son, whom he had embraced with such +passionate tenderness that night at Burgsdorf? At this remembrance a +longing for those all-powerful arms, for the home which should no +longer be lost to him, for the whole boyhood which, although +constrained, had yet been so happy, pure and guiltless, flooded +Hartmut's inmost heart. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXV. + + +At this moment the door opened and the butler entered, bearing upon a +waiter a card. He presented it to Hartmut, who refused it with an +impatient gesture. + +"Did I not tell you that I did not wish to see any one else to-day? I +wish to remain undisturbed." + +"I told the gentleman so," replied the servant, "but he begged me to at +least give you his name--Willibald von Eschenhagen." + +Hartmut started suddenly from his reclining position. He could not +believe that he had heard aright. + +"What is the gentleman's name?" + +"Von Eschenhagen--here is the card." + +"Ah, let him enter, instantly!" + +The servant departed, and Willibald entered the next moment, but +remained standing at the door in uncertainty. Hartmut had sprung up and +looked toward him. Yes, there were the same familiar features--the +dear, well-known face, the honest blue eyes of his friend, and with the +passionate cry, "Willy--my dear old Willy, is it you! You come to me?" +he threw himself stormily upon his breast. + +The young lord, who had no idea how strangely his appearance at this +moment fitted into his friend's dreams of his youth, was most perplexed +over this reception. He remembered how domineering Hartmut had always +been to him, and how he had made him feel his mental inferiority at +every opportunity. He had thought yesterday that the highly honored +author of Arivana would be still more imperious and haughty, and now he +found an overflowing tenderness. + +"Are you glad, then, at my coming, Hartmut?" he asked, still somewhat +doubtful. "I was almost afraid it would not be acceptable." + +"Not acceptable, when I see you now after a lapse of ten long years!" +cried Hartmut reproachfully, and he drew his friend down beside him, +questioning him and covering him so with affection that Willy lost all +embarrassment and also returned to the old familiarity. He said that he +was in town for only three days and that he was on his way to +Furstenstein. + +"Oh, yes; you are betrothed," joined in Rojanow. "I heard at Rodeck who +was to be the Chief Forester's son-in-law, and have also seen Fraulein +von Schonan. Let me congratulate you with all my heart." + +Willibald accepted the good wishes with a peculiar face, and looked to +the floor as he replied, half audibly: "Yes, but to tell the truth, +mamma made the engagement." + +"I should have known that," said Hartmut, laughing, "but you have at +least said 'Yes' without being forced?" + +Willy did not answer. He studied the carpet intently and suddenly asked +quite disconnectedly: "Hartmut, how do you do when you compose poetry?" + +"How do I do?" Hartmut with an effort suppressed his laughter. "Really +that is not easy to tell. I do not believe that I can explain it +sufficiently." + +"Yes, it is a funny condition to make poetry," assented the young man +with a sad shake of the head. "I experienced it last night when I +returned from the theatre." + +"What! You compose poetry?" + +"And such poetry!" cried Willy in high satisfaction, but added in +somewhat subdued tones: "Only I cannot find rhymes, and it also sounds +quite different from your verses. To tell the truth, it did not run +right, and I want to ask you how you do the affair. You know it is not +to be anything grand like your Arivana--only just a little poem." + +"Of course to 'her,'" finished Hartmut. + +"Yes, to her," assented the young lord with a deep breath, and now his +listener laughed aloud. + +"You are a model son, Willy, one must confess. It does happen sometimes +that one is betrothed at paternal or maternal command, but you +dutifully fall in love with your bride-elect besides, and even compose +poetry to her." + +"But it is not to the right one," exclaimed Willibald suddenly, with +such a strained expression that Rojanow looked at him in perplexity. He +really believed that his friend was not in his senses; and Willibald +must also have felt that he was making a peculiar impression. He +therefore began an explanation, but anticipated himself so much and was +so vague, that the affair became only the more tangled. + +"In fact, I have had an encounter with a fellow this morning who dared +to insult a young lady--Fraulein Marietta Volkmar, from the Court +Theatre. I knocked him to the ground and I would do it again to him or +to anybody who gets too near Fraulein Volkmar." + +He stretched out his arm so threateningly that Hartmut caught it +quickly and restrained him. + +"Well, I do not intend to get near her--you can spare me for the +present. But what is Marietta Volkmar to you--the little mirror of +virtue of our opera--who has so far been considered unapproachable?" + +"Hartmut, I request that you speak of this lady with reverence. In +short, this Count Westerburg has challenged me. I am going to exchange +shots with him, and hope to give him a good reminder." + +"Well, you really are making good progress in romance," said Hartmut, +who listened with ever-increasing interest. "You have been here only +three days and have commenced with a quarrel which ends in a challenge, +and are the knight and protector of a young singer--have a duel for her +sake. Willy, for heaven's sake, what will your mother say?" + +"This concerns an affair of honor, and my mother cannot interfere +here," declared Willy with a really heroic effect, "but now I must get +a second here, where I am quite a stranger and do not know a soul. +Uncle Herbert must not hear anything about it, of course, or he would +interfere with the police. So I decided to come to you and ask you if +you would render me this service." + +"That was what brought you," said Rojanow, in a tone of painful +disappointment. "I really believed old friendship had done it; but, +nevertheless, of course, I am at your command. What weapons does the +challenge demand?" + +"Pistols!" + +"Well, you know what to do with them. We practiced often enough with a +target at Burgsdorf, and you were a good shot. I shall look up the +second of your opponent to-morrow morning and send you word then. I +have to do that in writing, as I do not enter the house of Herr von +Wallmoden." + +Willy only nodded. He thought Wallmoden's hostility was being +reciprocated, but deemed it best not to make any inquiries upon this +point. + +"Very well, just write me," he replied. "Arrange things as seems best +to you; I shall be satisfied with everything; I have no experience in +such things. Here is the address of the second, and now I must go. I +have several things to put in order yet, in case the worst happens." + +He arose and extended his hand to his friend in farewell, but Hartmut +took no notice of it. His eyes were fixed on the floor, as he said in +low, hesitating tones: "One thing more, Willy. Burgsdorf is so near +Berlin. Perhaps you often see----" + +"Whom?" asked Willibald, as Hartmut paused. + +"My--my father." + +The young lord became visibly embarrassed at the question. He had +avoided the mention of Falkenried during the conversation, but did not +seem to be aware of his near arrival. + +"No," he said, finally; "we hardly ever see the Colonel." + +"But does he not come to Burgsdorf as of old?" + +"No, he has become very unsocial. But I happened to see him in Berlin +when I went to meet Uncle Herbert." + +"And how does he look? Has he aged any during these last years?" + +Willibald shrugged his shoulders. + +"Of course he has aged; you would hardly recognize him with his white, +hair." + +"White hair!" Hartmut burst forth. "He is hardly fifty-two years old. +Has he been ill?" + +"Not that I know of. It came quite suddenly--in a few months--at the +time when he asked for his discharge." + +Hartmut blanched, and his eyes were strained fixedly upon the speaker. + +"My father sought a discharge? He who is a soldier through, body and +soul; to whom his vocation---- In what year was it?" + +"It did not come to an issue," said Willy, pacifyingly; "they did not +let him go, but removed him to a distant garrison, and he has been in +the Ministry of War for three years." + +"But he wanted to leave--in what year?" panted Rojanow, in a sinking +voice. + +"Well, at the time of your disappearance. He believed his honor +demanded it, and, Hartmut, you ought not to have done that to your +father--not that. He almost died from it." + +Hartmut made no answer, no attempt to defend himself; but his breast +heaved in deep, unsteady breaths. + +"We will not speak of it," said Willibald, stopping short; "it cannot +be changed now. I shall expect your letter to-morrow. Get everything in +order. Good night." + +Hartmut did not seem to hear the words--did not notice the departure of +his friend. He stood there immovable, with eyes on the floor, and only +after Willibald had long disappeared did he straighten himself slowly +and draw his hand across his brow. + +"He wished to leave!" he murmured; "to leave the army because he +thought his honor demanded it. No--no, not yet. I must go to Rodeck." + +The honored poet, upon whose brow Fate was pressing the first laurel +wreath--who only yesterday had challenged the whole world in this +victorious knowledge--dared not meet the eye of his father. He fled +into solitude. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXVI. + + +In one of the quieter streets, whose modest but pleasant houses were +mostly surrounded by gardens, Marietta Volkmar lived with an old +lady--a distant relative of her grandfather--who was alone, but willing +and glad to be protection and company to the young singer. + +The two ladies led a life about which the ever-busy tongue of gossip +could find nothing to say, and were much beloved by other members of +the house. Fraulein Marietta, with her pleasant, happy face, was an +especial favorite, and when her clear voice rang through the house +everybody stopped to listen. But the _singvoegelchen_ had grown mute in +the past two days, and showed pale cheeks and eyes red from weeping. +The people shook their heads and could not understand it until they +heard from old Fraulein Berger that Dr. Volkmar was sick, and his +granddaughter was worried about him, but could not obtain leave of +absence without a more forcible reason. + +This was, indeed, no falsehood, for the old doctor had really been +suffering for several days from a severe cold, but it offered no +occasion for serious concern. It was only a plausible explanation of +Marietta's changed demeanor, which was noticed even by her colleagues +at the theatre. + +The singer was standing at the window, gazing steadily out, in her +plain but cosily furnished sitting room, having just returned from a +rehearsal, while Fraulein Berger sat at a little table with her +needlework, casting anxious glances at her protegee. + +"But, dear child, do not take this affair so sorely to heart," she +admonished. "You will wear yourself out with this anxiety and +excitement. Why anticipate the worst at once?" + +Marietta did not turn. She was painfully pale, and a suppressed sob was +in her voice as she replied: + +"This is now the third day, and yet I cannot learn anything. Oh, it is +awful to have to wait like this, hour after hour, for bad news." + +"But why must it be bad news?" the old lady spoke consolingly. "Herr +von Eschenhagen was still well and bright yesterday afternoon. I +inquired about him at your special request. He went to drive with Herr +and Frau von Wallmoden. The affair has probably been settled amicably." + +"I should have heard of it," said the young girl, in a heartbroken way. +"He promised me, and he would have kept his word, I know. If misfortune +has really happened to him--if he has fallen--I believe I could not +live!" + +The last words were spoken so passionately that Fraulein Berger looked +at the speaker in dismay. + +"Do be reasonable, Marietta," she entreated. "How are you responsible +for an impertinent man insulting you, or the betrothed of your friend +stepping in to your rescue? You really could not act more despairingly +if your own betrothed stood before the pistol." + +The cheeks, just now so pale, flushed redly, and Marietta turned to the +window with a quick gesture. + +"You do not understand, auntie," she said, in a low voice; "you do not +know how much love and kindness have been shown me in the house of the +Chief Forester--how earnestly Toni begged my forgiveness when she +learned how deeply her future mother-in-law had offended me. What will +she think of me when she hears that her betrothed has been in a duel +for my sake? What will Frau von Eschenhagen say?" + +"Well, they will at least be open to the conviction that you are quite +innocent in this affair, which, if it ends well, they will not hear of. +I do not recognize or understand you in all this. You used to laugh +away every care and anxiety, but this time you exaggerate it in a +really incomprehensible manner. You have scarcely eaten or drunk in two +days in your excitement; you must not sit at my table to-day as you did +yesterday and the day before. I tell you that; and now I will look +after the dinner." + +The kind old lady arose and left the room to prepare some extra dainty +with which to tempt her protegee's fleeting appetite. + +She was right; the merry, bright Marietta would not now be recognized. +Beyond a doubt it gave a painful, depressed feeling to be brought +before the people of Furstenstein in so bad a light through that +occurrence in the park, and even here in town her name, so carefully +protected, might suffer if something of it should be heard; but, +strange to say, these possibilities remained in the background because +of a fear which grew with every hour and was hardly to be borne any +longer. + +"With my blood, if it must be." + +Unconsciously she whispered Willibald's last words, and pressed her hot +brow against the window pane. "Oh, my God, not that!" + +Suddenly at the street corner a figure appeared, which attracted +attention on account of its unusual size. He came nearer with rapid +steps and looked searchingly at the house numbers. + +With a suppressed cry of joy, Marietta sprang from the window. She had +recognized Herr von Eschenhagen. She did not wait until he pulled the +bell, but hastened to open the door. Tears shimmered yet in her eyes, +but her voice was jubilant as she cried: "You come at last! God be +praised!" + +"Yes, here I am, well and whole," assured Willibald, whose face lighted +up at his reception. + +Neither knew how they reached the sitting room. To the young man it +seemed as if a small, soft hand had been laid upon his arm and had +drawn him along, all unresisting. But when they stood before each +other, Marietta noticed that a broad, black bandage was around his +right hand. + +"Mon Dieu, you are injured!" she cried in fear. + +"A slight scratch--not worth mentioning," Willibald said merrily, +waving the hand. "I have given the Count a more severe reminder, but it +is also only a glance shot in the shoulder, and not in the least +dangerous to his precious life. That man could not even shoot right." + +"Then you did have the duel? I knew it." + +"This morning at 8 o'clock. But you need fear nothing more, mein +Fraulein. You see everything has passed off well." + +The young singer drew a deep breath, as if relieved of a mountain load. + +"I thank you, Herr von Eschenhagen. No--no, do not refuse my thanks. +You have endangered your life for my sake. I thank you a thousand +times." + +"There is no cause, Fraulein; I did it gladly," said Willibald, +cordially. "But, since I have stood before the pistol now for your +sake, you must permit me to bring you a little token of remembrance. +You will not throw it at my feet again?" + +He somewhat awkwardly--because of his left hand--drew out from his +pocket a white tissue paper, and, opening it, disclosed a full-blown +rose with two buds. + +Marietta dropped her eyes in confusion. Mutely she accepted the flowers +and fastened one of them at her throat. Then she stretched out her hand +to the giver just as mutely. + +He fully understood the apology. + +"Of course you are accustomed to different floral offerings," he said, +apologetically. "I hear a great deal of the homage people pay you." + +The young girl smiled, but with a more pathetic than happy expression. + +"You have been a witness to what this homage is at times, and it was +not the first time it has happened. The gentlemen seem to think they +are permitted to venture anything when one is on the stage. Believe me, +Herr von Eschenhagen, it is often hard to bear this lot, for which I am +envied by so many." + +Willibald listened intently to these words. + +"Hard to bear? I thought you loved your vocation above everything, and +would not leave it at any price." + +"Oh, surely I love it; but I had not thought that so much bitterness +and hardship were connected with it. My teacher, Professor Marani, +says: 'One must rise as on eagle's wings; then all the low and vulgar +will remain far below.' He may be right, but one must be an eagle for +that, and I am only a '_singvoegelchen_,' as my grandfather calls me, +which has nothing but its voice and cannot rise so high. The critics +often tell me that fire and strength are wanting in my rendering. I +feel myself that I have no real dramatic talent. I can only sing, and +would rather do that at home in our green forests than here in this +golden cage." + +The voice of the usually bright, cheery girl sounded full of deeply +suppressed emotion. This last occurrence had shown her again very +plainly her unprotected position, and now her heart opened to the man +who had interfered so bravely for her. + +He listened in rapt attention and seemed to read the words from her +lips, but at this truly sad report his face beamed as if something very +joyful was being related, and now he interrupted vehemently: + +"You long to get away from here? You would like to leave the stage?" + +Marietta laughed aloud, in spite of her sorrow. + +"No, I really do not think of that, for what should I do then? My +grandfather saved and economized for years to make my education as a +singer possible, and it would be poor gratitude if I should be a burden +to him in his old age. He does not know that at times his little +_singvogel_ longs for its nest, or that life is made hard for her here. +I am not usually without courage. I persevere and stand strong whenever +it must be so. Do not let these, my laments, be heard at Furstenstein. +You are going there?" + +A shadow passed over the beaming face of young Eschenhagen, and he was +the one now to lower his eyes. + +"I, indeed, go to Furstenstein this afternoon," he replied, in a +strangely suppressed tone. + +"Oh, I ask this one thing more. You must tell your betrothed +everything--you hear?--everything. We owe it to her. I shall write her +to-day about the occurrence, and you will confirm my letter with your +words--yes?" + +Willibald raised his eyes slowly and looked at the speaker. "You are +right, Fraulein. Toni must hear everything the whole truth. I had +already decided on that before I came here; but it will be a hard hour +for me." + +"Oh, surely not," said Marietta, encouragingly. "Toni is good and full +of trust. She will believe your word and my word, that we are both +innocent in this affair." + +"But I am not without guilt--at least toward my bride-elect," declared +Willibald, earnestly. "Do not look at me in such affright. You must +hear it later, anyway, and it is perhaps better that I tell you myself. +I am going to Furstenstein only to ask Toni"--he stopped short and drew +a deep breath--"to give me back my troth." + +"For heaven's sake, why?" cried the young girl, horrified at this +explanation. + +"Why? Because it would be wrong should I offer Toni my hand and +stand with her at the altar, with my heart as it is now. Because +only now do I see what the principal thing is for betrothal and +marriage--because----" He did not finish, but his eyes spoke so plainly +that Marietta fully understood the rest. + +Her face suddenly colored crimson. She drew back and made a violently +repellent gesture. + +"Herr von Eschenhagen, be silent; do not speak another word." + +"But it is not my fault," Willibald continued, in spite of the command. +"I have struggled manfully and tried truly to keep my promise during +the whole time I was at Burgsdorf. I believed it would be possible; but +then I came here and saw you again in 'Arivana' on that evening, and +knew that the struggle had been in vain. I had not forgotten you, +Fraulein Marietta--not for an hour--as often as I had tried to make +myself believe it, and I shall not forget you all my life long. I shall +confess this to Toni openly, and shall also tell my mother when I +return to her." + +The confession was made. The young lord, who could not manage the first +proposal at Furstenstein alone, but had to be helped by his mother, now +spoke as warmly and heartily--as openly and as truly--as a man must +speak in such an hour. He had learned it suddenly, and with the +helplessness which he shook off with such decision, there seemed to +fall off, too, all his awkwardness and ridiculous manner. + +He quickly approached Marietta, who had fled to the window, and his +firm voice grew unsteady as he continued: "And now one question. You +looked so pale when you opened the door for me, and your eyes spoke of +tears. The affair may have been painful and mortifying to you; I can +understand that, but did you also fear a little for my welfare?" + +No answer, but low sobs. + +"Did you fear for me? Only a little 'yes,' Marietta. You have no idea +how happy you would make me." + +He bent low over the young girl, who now slowly raised the small, bowed +head. In her dark eyes there glowed a spark as of secret happiness. The +answer was almost inaudible. + +"I? Ach, I have almost _died_ of fear these last two days." + +Willibald gave a joyful exclamation and drew her to his breast; but +only for a moment, then she struggled from his embrace. + +"No--not now. Go now, please." + +He released her at once and stepped back. + +"You are right, Marietta; not yet. But, after I have freed myself, I +shall come again and ask for another 'yes.' Farewell." + +He hastened away before Marietta had scarce recovered control of +herself. She was aroused by the voice of Fraulein Berger, who, +unnoticed by the two, had stood upon the threshold of the adjoining +room for several moments, and who now approached in a state of horror. + +"Child, for mercy's sake, what does it mean? Do you not consider----" + +The young girl did not let her finish, but threw both arms around her +neck and wept passionately. + +"Ah, now I know why I was so enraged at the time he suffered his mother +to insult me. It hurt me so inexpressibly to believe him a coward; I +have loved him from the first." + + + + + CHAPTER XXXVII. + + +In the house of the Prussian Ambassador everything was in a state of +preparation for the winter festivities. When Wallmoden had entered his +present position, in the spring, society was already scattered in all +directions for the summer, and immediately afterward occurred the sad +event which had put an end to all festivities for them. These causes, +however, were done with now. + +The many halls and apartments of the Ambassador's palace had been +furnished with such splendor as Herbert's circumstances, made brilliant +by his marriage, permitted; and it was his intention to have as +magnificent a home as was possible to obtain. Their first grand +reception was to take place next week, and in the meantime numerous +calls were being made and returned. + +The Ambassador was also much occupied with his official duties, +and, besides, there was one thing which ruined his peace of mind +completely--the success of Arivana. If he had had doubts before about +opposing Rojanow's publicity, it had now become quite impossible. The +"adventurer" was raised upon the shield and his poetical spirit was +being praised everywhere. The Court and society generally could not be +forced now to drop him without subjecting themselves to mortification, +and it was questionable, besides, if they would drop him at all, since +only hints and vague remarks could be given. That grand success had +made Hartmut almost unapproachable. + +To add to the embarrassment of the Ambassador's position, Falkenried's +arrival was expected in the near future, from whom the truth could not +be kept, for fear he should hear it from outsiders. + +The Colonel, of whose present trip nothing was known when Wallmoden had +seen him in Berlin a short time ago, would be here in a few days and +would make his headquarters at the Ambassador's palace, since he was no +stranger to Adelaide. She and her brother had, in a measure, grown up +under his eyes. + +When, ten years ago, the then Major Falkenried had been removed to the +distant province, he had been stationed at a post in the small town +lying in the immediate vicinity of the great Stahlberg works and +dependent almost entirely upon them. The new Major was considered an +excellent soldier, but a pronounced man-hater, who enjoyed his duties +only, occupying all his spare time with military studies, and who hated +everything that came under the head of society. + +As he was alone, he was excused from keeping an open house, and he +exhibited himself only at houses where his position imperatively +demanded it. Such consideration had to be shown the great manufacturer, +who was the leader of the whole vicinity, and who received and +entertained as guests the first and highest personages. + +Stahlberg had been the only one whom the military man approached. +Although the grave and gloomy reticence of the Major excluded real +friendship, yet the two men felt the highest esteem for each other, and +the Stahlberg home was the only place where Falkenried appeared +occasionally of his own free will. + +He had had intercourse there for years and seen the two children grow +up. Therefore Wallmoden was the more offended that Falkenried did not +attend his wedding, but excused himself through pressure of official +duties. + +Adelaide knew little or nothing about the life of the Colonel. She +considered him childless and heard only from her husband that he had +been married early in life, but had been separated from his wife and +was now a widower. + +It was about a week after the return of the Wallmodens that +Falkenried's arrival was announced to the young wife as she sat one day +at her writing table. She threw aside her pen, arose quickly and +hastened to her friend. + +"You are heartily welcome, Colonel Falkenried. We received your +telegram, and Herbert intended to meet you at the depot, but just at +this hour he has an audience with the Duke, and is still at the palace, +so we could only send the carriage." + +Her greeting had all the cordiality which an old friend of her father's +could wish, but Falkenried's response was not of a like kind. Coldly +and seriously he accepted the offered hand and the invitation to be +seated, as he thanked her for her welcome. + +The Colonel had indeed changed, so much as scarcely to be recognized. +Were it not for the tall, muscular form and strong, firm carriage, one +could have taken him for an old man. His hair--the hair of a man barely +fifty years old--was white as snow, the brow furrowed deeply, and sharp +lines were buried in the face, making it look ten years older. The +features, once so expressive, appeared fixed and immovable now; the +entire appearance and bearing bespoke stern, impenetrable reticence. + +Regine's words, "The man is turned to stone," were only too true. One +involuntarily gained the impression that he had become a total stranger +to the world, and that all mankind had died off for aught that moved +him--nothing was left except the duties of his vocation. + +"Perhaps I have disturbed you, Ada," he said, using her old home name +as he glanced at the writing table where lay a half-finished letter. + +"There is plenty of time for that," replied the young wife, lightly. "I +was only writing to Eugene." + +"Ah? I am the bearer of love from your brother. I saw him the day +before yesterday." + +"I knew that he intended going to Berlin and to see you. He has not +seen you for nearly two years now, and I, too, saw but little of you +during our journey through Berlin. We hoped you would come to +Burgsdorf, where we stayed for a few days, and I believe that Regine +felt very hurt that you did not accept her invitation for this time, +either." + +The Colonel looked to the floor; he knew why he avoided Burgsdorf and +its reminiscences. He had hardly been there twice since his return to +the Capital. + +"Regine knows how economical I have to be with my time," he replied, +evasively. "But, to return to your brother, Ada; I should like to speak +to you, and therefore I am glad to find you alone. What is the +difficulty between Eugene and his brother-in-law? Has something +happened to alienate them?" + +A certain embarrassment was visible in Adelaide's face at the question, +but she answered lightly: + +"Nothing especial; the two are not very congenial." + +"Not very congenial? Wallmoden is nearly forty years his senior, and +his guardian besides. Your brother will not be of age for several +years. In such case the younger one must submit unconditionally." + +"Certainly; but Eugene, although as good as gold, is only too often +rash and passionate as he has always been." + +"Alas, so he is. He will have to change considerably if he wishes to +fill, half as well as his father did, the important and responsible +position which awaits him. But something else seems to be the trouble +here. I made a casual remark about your marriage, Ada--which event, to +tell the truth, surprised me, although I am on friendly terms with your +husband--and said that I had not thought you had so much ambition; but +at this Eugene burst out and defended you in the most passionate +manner, and spoke of a sacrifice which his sister had made for him. In +short, he allowed himself to be carried away into words and hints which +surprised me in the highest degree." + +"You should not have paid any attention to it," said Adelaide, with +visible emotion. "A young, hot head takes everything tragically. What +did he tell you?" + +"In fact, nothing definite. He seems to have given you his word to keep +silent and not speak without your permission; but he seems to almost +hate his brother-in-law. What does all this mean?" + +The young wife was silent; the conversation seemed painful to her in +the highest degree. + +Falkenried looked at her searchingly as he continued: "You know it is +not my way to inquire into the secrets of others. I take but little +interest in the doings of people around me, but my friend's honor comes +into consideration here; those remarks contain a crimination. Of +course, I could not allow that, but when I remonstrated with your +brother and threatened to speak to Wallmoden about it, he said: 'My +Herr brother-in-law will explain the affair diplomatically to you. He +has proved a very diplomat in it all. Ask Ada if you wish to learn the +truth.' I ask you first, therefore; but if you cannot and will not +answer, then I must speak to your husband, from whom I cannot keep such +remarks." + +He spoke in a cold and measured tone, without any excitement. The +affair, apparently, caused him no interest whatever. He considered it +necessary to take it up solely because a point of honor came in +question. + +"Do not speak to Herbert about it, I beg of you," interrupted Adelaide, +quickly. "I shall have to explain to you, since Eugene allowed himself +to be carried away so far; but he has taken the matter too hard from +the beginning. There is nothing dishonorable about it." + +"I hope so, since Wallmoden is concerned," said the Colonel, with +emphasis. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + +The young Baroness lowered her voice and evaded the eyes of her +listener as she commenced. + +"You know that my engagement happened a year ago at Florence. My father +was even then very ailing, and the physicians desired that he should +remain in Italy during the winter. We went to Florence, intending to +stay two months, and then make further plans according to the wish of +the invalid. My brother had accompanied us, but was to return home at +the beginning of winter. + +"We took a villa outside the city, and, of course, lived quite secluded. +Eugene saw Italy for the first time, and it was so mournful for him to +sit day after day in the lonely sick room, that I seconded his request +to go to Rome for a short time. He finally received permission. Oh, if +I had never done it! But I could not know how deeply his inexperience +would involve him then." + +"That means that he followed up adventures, although his father was at +death's door." + +"Do not judge so harshly. My brother was scarcely twenty years old +then, and had always lived under the eyes of a loving but very strict +father. The short freedom proved dangerous to him. The young German, +who had no knowledge of the world whatever, was enticed into circles +where high--and as it was afterward proved--false gambling was the +order of the day, and where a number of bad, but outwardly charming, +elements met. Eugene, in his ignorance, did not understand it, and lost +heavily, until suddenly the party was raided by the police. The +Italians defended themselves, and it ended in a fight, into which +Eugene, too, was drawn. He only defended himself, but he had the +misfortune to injure a policeman severely, and was arrested with the +others." + +The Colonel had listened silently, with impassive face, and his voice +was as harsh as before as he said: "And Stahlberg had to live to see +this of his son, who had been a model until then?" + +"He never heard of it; it was only a momentary losing of one's self--a +case of one misled, rather than guilty, and it will not happen again. +Eugene has given me his word of honor for that." + +Falkenried laughed so scornfully that his companion looked at him in +consternation. + +"His word of honor! Yes, why not? That is given as easily as it is +broken. Are you truly so trusting as to believe in the word of such a +young lad?" + +"Yes, that I am," asserted Adelaide, in an injured tone, while her +eyes, earnest and reproachful, met the gaze of the man whose awful +bitterness she could not explain. "I know my brother. In spite of this +escapade, he is the son of his father, and he will keep his word to me +and to himself--I know it." + +"It is well for you if you can still believe and trust. I have long +forgotten how," said Falkenried, in a low but milder tone. "And what +happened then?" + +"My brother succeeded in being allowed to send me word immediately. +'Keep it from father, it would be his death,' he wrote. I knew better +than he did that our desperately ill father could not stand such news. +But we were alone in a foreign country, without friends or +acquaintances, and help had to be had instantly. In this extremity I +thought of Herr von Wallmoden, who at the time was at the embassy at +Florence. We had known him slightly before, and he had called directly +after our arrival and placed himself at our command, should we need the +help of the Ambassador. He had come to our house frequently, and now +hastened to me immediately upon receiving my request. I told him all, +and trusted him, beseeching his advice and help--and received it." + +"At what price?" demanded the Colonel, with darkly contracted brows. + +Adelaide shook her head. + +"No, no; it is not as you think--as Eugene also believed. I was not +forced. Herbert gave me free choice, although he did not hide from me +that the occurrence was much worse than I feared; that those sums lost +in play must, nevertheless, be paid if one wished to keep the affair +from publicity; that, in spite of all, it might get into the courts, on +account of the injury to the policeman. He explained to me that he +might be brought into a wrong light if he mixed himself up in such +affairs. 'You desire me to save your brother,' said he; 'perhaps I can +do it, but I jeopardize my position--my whole future thereby. One +makes such a sacrifice, perhaps, only for his own brother, or--his +brother-in-law." + +Falkenried arose suddenly and took a turn through the room. Then he +stood still before the young wife and said, in angry tones: "And you, +of course, believed that in your anxiety?" + +"Do you mean that it was not so?" asked Adelaide, startled. + +He shrugged his shoulders with a half-contemptuous expression. + +"Possibly. I do not know these diplomatic reasons. I know only one +thing; Wallmoden has, indeed, proved himself a great diplomat in the +whole affair. What did you answer him?" + +"I asked for time to think, everything had burst so upon me. But I +knew, that no moment was to be lost, and that same evening I gave +Herbert the right to act--for his brother-in-law." + +"Of course," muttered the Colonel, with deep disdain; "the wise, shrewd +Herbert!" + +"He obtained leave of absence immediately, and went to Rome," continued +the young Baroness, "returning in a week, accompanied by my brother. He +had succeeded in freeing Eugene and withdrawing him from the whole +affair. Even the newspapers did not mention the name of the young +German who had been involved in it. I do not know by what means it was +done. If one has powerful friends and does not need to spare money, +much is possible. Herbert had spent money lavishly on all sides and had +brought into use every advantage made possible to him through his long +years of diplomatic work. He also cancelled the gambling debts, +although with his own bond. He told me later that he had given half his +fortune for that purpose." + +"It was very magnanimous, since by this sacrifice he won a cool +million. And what did Eugene say to this--trade?" + +"He knew nothing of it, and soon returned to Germany, as had been +decided at first. From that time Herbert came to our house daily and +knew how to prepossess my sick father so well, that father finally felt +a desire for the union himself. Only then did Herbert begin his wooing. +I was grateful to him for giving it this turn, only Eugene was not +deceived. He guessed everything, and forced the truth from me. Since +then he has tortured himself with self-reproach and almost feels +hostility toward his brother-in-law, in spite of my repeated assurance +that I have never had cause to rue that step, and that I have in +Herbert the most attentive and considerate husband." + +Falkenried's eyes rested intently upon the face of the young wife, as +if he wished to read her most secret thoughts. + +"Are you happy?" he asked, slowly. + +"I am content." + +"That is much in this life," said the Colonel in the old, harsh tone. +"We were not born to be happy. I have done you wrong, Ada. I believed +the splendor of a high position, the desire to play a first role in +society as wife of the Ambassador, had made you Frau von Wallmoden, +but--I am glad that t judged you wrongly." + +He stretched forth his hand. Some expression was now in the icy gaze +and an apology in the grasp of the hand. + +"You know everything now," concluded Adelaide, with a deep breath, "and +I beg that you will not touch upon the subject before Herbert. You see, +there was nothing dishonorable in his dealings. I repeat to you that he +used neither force nor persuasion. I was forced only by the power of +circumstances. I could not expect that he would make such sacrifices +for a stranger." + +"If a lady had sought me in such anxiety, I would have made the +sacrifices--unconditionally," declared Falkenried. + +"Yes, you! I would have followed you also with a lighter heart." + +The avowal betrayed, unconsciously, how hard had been the struggle +which the young wife had not mentioned by a word. But she spoke the +truth. + +She would much rather have given herself to the gloomy, reticent man, +with his harsh and often offensive manner, if the sacrifice had to be +made, than to the ever polite and attentive husband, who, in the face +of her extremity--had traded with it. + +"You would have had a hard lot then, Ada," said the Colonel, with a +grave shake of the head. "I am one of the men who cannot give or +receive anything more in this life. I have finished with it long ago. +But you are right; it is better to let that subject remain untouched +between Wallmoden and me, for if I wished to tell him my true opinion +about it--well, he will always be a diplomat." + +Adelaide arose, breaking off the conversation, and tried to assume a +lighter tone. + +"And now let me take you to your rooms at last. You must be exhausted +by the long trip." + +"No, a single night's journey will not tire a soldier. Duty makes +harsher demands than that on us." + +He drew himself up straight and firm; one could see that his physical +strength was yet unbroken. Those muscles and sinews seemed like steel. +It was the features alone that bore the mark of age. + +The eyes of the Baroness lingered upon them thoughtfully, especially +upon the brow which was so deeply and heavily furrowed and yet was +formed so high and powerful under the white hair. + +It seemed to her as if she had seen that brow somewhere else, under +dark locks; but there could not be a sharper contrast than between this +too early aged, care-lined face and that youthful head with the +foreign, southern beauty and the uncanny light in the eyes. Yet it had +been the same brow over which the lightnings had flamed on that lonely +forest height; the same high, powerful curve; even the blue veins which +were so pronounced at the temples--a strange, incomprehensible +likeness! + + + + + CHAPTER XXXIX. + + +After some hours the two friends were alone together in Wallmoden's +study. The latter had just made the unavoidable as well as painful +disclosure. He had told the Colonel under what circumstances Rojanow +was in the city, and had unveiled to him uncompromisingly everything he +knew of Hartmut's life and that of his mother, finally informing him of +her death. + +He had feared this hour, but the result was quite different from what +he had expected. Mutely Falkenried leaned against the window with +folded arms and listened to the long explanations, without interrupting +by a word or gesture. His face remained cold and impassive; no quiver, +no motion betrayed that he heard those things which must bring anguish +to his heart. He was now also "a man of stone." + +"I believed I owed these explanations to you," concluded the Ambassador +finally. "If I have kept what I knew of the fate of the two from you so +long, it was done solely that you might not be tortured unnecessarily +with what was hard enough for you to overcome. But you had to learn now +what has happened, and how matters stand at present." + +The Colonel retained his position and his voice betrayed no mental +excitement as he replied: + +"I thank you for your good will, but you could have spared yourself +these explanations. What is that adventurer to me?" + +Wallmoden looked up amazed; he had not expected such a response. + +"I thought it necessary to prepare you for the possibility of meeting +him," he returned. "As you have heard, Rojanow now plays an important +role; he is celebrated everywhere. The Duke is deeply wrapped up in +him. You might meet him at the castle." + +"And what then? I do not know anybody by the name of Rojanow, and he +will not dare to know me. We should pass each other as strangers." + +The Ambassador's gaze rested searchingly upon Falkenried's features as +if to fathom this real coldness or incomprehensible self-command. + +"I thought you would receive the news of the reappearance of your son +very differently," he said, half aloud. + +For the first time he intentionally used this title; hitherto he had +merely said Rojanow. But now, for the first time also, an emotion was +visible in the calm figure at the window. But it was an emotion of +anger. + +"I have no son--remember that, Wallmoden. He died to me that night at +Burgsdorf, and the dead do not rise." + +Wallmoden was silent; the Colonel approached him and laid his hand +heavily upon his arm. + +"You said just now that it was your duty to enlighten the Duke, and +that you had not done so solely out of consideration for me. I +have, indeed, but one thing to guard in the world--the honor of my +name--which, through that exposition, would be at the mercy of the +world's raillery and scorn. Do what you think you must do--I shall not +hinder you. But--I shall also do what I have to do." + +His voice sounded as cold as before, but it contained something so +awful that the Ambassador started up in affright. + +"Falkenried, for heaven's sake, what do you mean? How am I to interpret +those words?" + +"As you like. You diplomats define honor differently at times from us. +I am very one-sided about it." + +"I shall keep silence inviolably, I pledge you my word," assured +Wallmoden, who did not understand the last bitter hint, for he had no +idea of Adelaide's confession. "I had decided on that before you came; +the name of Falkenried shall not be sacrificed by me." + +"Enough, and now no more of it. You have prepared the Duke for what I +bring?" asked Falkenried, passing on to an entirely different subject +after a short pause. "What has he to say to it?" + +Here again was the old iron, unbending will, which put aside all +questioning; but the sudden change seemed to be acceptable to the +Ambassador. He was, here as well as elsewhere, the wise diplomat who +dreaded nothing so much as public exposure, and who would never have +thought of exposing Hartmut, had he not feared that by a possible +leaking out of the truth later and of his knowledge of it, it might be +counted against him. Now, in the worst case, he could cover himself +with the promise he had given the father. Even the Duke must +acknowledge that he--Wallmoden--had had to spare his friend. The shrewd +Herbert knew how to calculate here, too. + +The stay of Colonel Falkenried was only of short duration, and during +the time he had no rest. Audience with the Duke--conferences with high +military dignitaries, communications with his own embassy--all were +crowded within a few days. + +Wallmoden was hardly less occupied, until finally everything was +settled. The Ambassador, and especially Colonel Falkenried, had reason +to be satisfied with the results, for everything had been successful +that was expected and desired by their government, and they could be +sure of the highest appreciation at home. + +Only the most nearly connected circles knew that something important +was going on, and even in these circles only a few knew the full +importance of the conferences. Scarcely anything was noticed in public, +which, therefore, occupied itself only the more with its present +favorite, the poet of Arivana, whose incomprehensible behavior made him +so much more interesting in the Residenz. + +Almost immediately after that brilliant triumph of his work he had +withdrawn from all praise and homage, and had gone into "forest +solitude," as Prince Adelsberg laughingly informed all questioners. +Where this solitude was, nobody learned. Egon assured them that he had +given his word not to betray the place of his friend's seclusion, for +he needed rest after all his excitement, but would return in a few +days. Nobody knew that Hartmut was at Rodeck. + + * * * * * + +Within the week, one cold winter morning, the carriage of Herr von +Wallmoden stood at his palace door. It seemed to be preparing for a +long excursion, for servants were carrying furs and travelling rugs to +it, while upstairs in the room where they had just breakfasted, the +Ambassador was taking leave of Colonel Falkenried. + +"Until to-morrow evening, _auf wiedersehen_," he was saying as he shook +hands. "We shall be back by that time without fail, and you will surely +remain a few days longer?" + +"Yes, since the Duke wishes it so particularly," answered the Colonel. +"I have so reported it to Berlin, and my report left on the same train +that carried yours." + +"Yes, I believe they will be satisfied with these reports; but it +has been a hot time. We had no rest all those days. Now, fortunately, +everything is arranged, and I can afford to absent myself for +twenty-four hours to drive to Ostwalden with Adelaide." + +"Ostwalden is the name of your new country home? I remember that you +spoke of it yesterday. Where is it situated?" + +"About two miles from Furstenstein. Schonan drew my attention to it +while we were with him and I looked at the place at that time. It is +rather an extensive possession in the famous Wald, beautifully +situated, but the price was too high at first, which has delayed the +settlement. We have but now come to a final understanding." + +"I believe Ada is not quite satisfied with your selection. She seems to +have something against the vicinity of Furstenstein," interrupted +Falkenried, but the Ambassador only shrugged his shoulders carelessly. + +"A caprice, nothing more. At first Adelaide was quite delighted with +Ostwalden, but later she raised all sorts of objections--but I cannot +pay any attention to that. I shall probably remain there for +considerable periods, as I no longer like to travel far in the summer. +A country seat which is only four hours removed from town is therefore +of great value to me. The castle itself is in rather a dilapidated +condition at present, but something can be made of it. With appropriate +changes and additions it can be made a really superb residence, and I +intend doing that. I shall therefore look it over carefully, so that +the plans can be finished as soon as possible. I have not been there as +yet since I bought it." + +He made his statements with much evident satisfaction over his plans. +Herbert von Wallmoden, who had originally possessed only a limited +fortune, and was compelled to expend it with great care, had suddenly +found it necessary to buy a sumptuous place in town, where he lived +only temporarily, and to have a princely villa for his summer +residence. But he did not find it necessary to consider the wishes +of his wife, whose wealth made it possible to him to play the great +land-owner. + +Falkenried may have had such ideas while listening, but he did not +speak of them. He had turned graver and stonier, if possible, in the +last few days, and if he really asked a question or made a remark +during the conversation, one could see it was but mechanical, and +because he had to say something. + +Only when Adelaide entered, perfectly equipped for the journey, he +arose promptly and offered his arm to lead her to the carriage. He +lifted her in, and Wallmoden, who followed her, leaned once more from +the carriage door. "We shall assuredly return to-morrow. Au revoir." + +Falkenried bowed and stepped back; It was indifferent to him whether he +saw the friend of his youth again. This, too, had lost its interest; +but when he ascended the steps, he murmured half aloud; "Poor Ada, she +deserved a better fate!" + + + + + CHAPTER XL. + + +In the meanwhile everything pursued its usual course at Furstenstein. +Willibald had been there a week. He had arrived two days later than had +been expected, but the injury to his hand was the cause of that. +According to his explanation it had happened through his own +carelessness, and the hand was already rapidly getting well. + +The Chief Forester found that his future son-in-law had changed much +for the better during the short intervening time of his absence, and +that he had become much more earnest and decided; and he remarked to +his daughter with the highest satisfaction: "I believe that Willy is +only now commencing to be human. One notices directly when his lady +mamma is not standing commandingly at his side." + +But Herr von Schonan did not have much time at his disposal to notice +the engaged couple, as he was at present overwhelmed with official +duties. The Duke had ordered several changes in the forest government +to be made according to the suggestions of the Chief Forester, who was +now zealously occupied in executing all of them. + +He saw and heard daily that Antonie and Willy were on the best terms, +so he left them mostly to themselves. + +Meanwhile in the house of the doctor at Waldhofen care and anxiety had +made their appearance. The sickness of the doctor, which at first had +given no cause for fear, suddenly took a dangerous turn, which was +augmented greatly by the age of the patient. He had called persistently +for his granddaughter, and she had been telegraphed for. She had at +once obtained leave of absence--her role in Arivana was filled by +another--and she hastened without delay to Waldhofen. + +Antonie showed a touching fidelity to her friend at this time. Day +after day found her at the home of the Volkmars to console and cheer +Marietta, who clung to her grandfather with her whole soul. + +Willibald seemed to be likewise necessary at these consolations, for he +accompanied Toni regularly, and the Chief Forester thought it quite +natural that "the poor little thing" was being consoled and helped to +the best of their ability, more especially as she had suffered so +unmerited an insult in his house, for which he could not to this day +forgive his sister-in-law. + +Finally, after three long, sorrowful days and nights, the doctor's +strong constitution conquered; the danger was passed, and hopes of a +full recovery were entertained. + +Herr von Schonan, who was cordially attached to the doctor, was +heartily glad of it, and so everything seemed to have come into the +best of order. + +But threatening weather arose from the north. Without a word of warning +Frau von Eschenhagen suddenly appeared at Furstenstein. She had not +taken time to stop in town where her brother lived, but came directly +from Burgsdorf, and burst like a hurricane upon her brother-in-law, who +sat in his room very comfortably reading the paper. + +"All good spirits--is it you, Regine?" he cried, amazed. "This is what +I call a surprise; you ought to have sent us word." + +"Where is Willibald?" demanded Regine in a dangerous tone, by way of +answer. "Is he at Furstenstein?" + +"Of course, where else should he be? I believe he has announced his +arrival here to you." + +"Let him be called--immediately." + +"But what is the matter?" asked Schonan, noticing now for the first +time his sister-in-law's excitement. "Is there a fire at Burgsdorf, +or what? I cannot call Willy to you this moment, for he is at +Waldhofen----" + +"Probably at Dr. Volkmar's--and she is probably there, too." + +"Who is 'she'? Toni has, of course, gone with him. They visit that poor +little thing daily--Marietta--who was quite despairing at first. I must +speak a word with you on this point, Regine. How could you offend the +dear girl so deeply, and in my house besides? I only heard of it +afterward, or----" + +A loud, angry laugh interrupted him. Frau von Eschenhagen had thrown +hat and cloak upon a chair and now drew close to her brother-in-law. + +"Are you to reproach me because I tried to avert the evil which you +have brought upon yourself? Of course you have always been blind and +would never listen to my warnings--now it is too late." + +"I believe you are not in your right mind, Regine," said the Forester, +who really did not know what to think of it all. "Will you be so kind +as to tell me what you mean?" + +Regine drew forth a newspaper and handed it to him, pointing with her +finger to a paragraph. + +"Read!" + +Schonan obeyed, and now his face also grew red in angry surprise. The +article, which was dated from the South German Residenz, read as +follows: + + +"We have just learned that a duel with pistols took place last Monday, +very early in the morning, in a remote part of our park. The opponents +were a well-known resident, Count W--, and a young North German +landowner, W--v. E--, who is visiting his relative here--a high and +distinguished diplomat. The cause of the duel is reported to be a +member of our Court Theatre, a young singer who bears the best of +reputations. Count W-- was injured in the shoulder. Herr v. E-- carried +off a slight wound in the hand, and departed immediately." + +"Thunder and lightning!" burst forth the Chief Forester, violently. +"The betrothed of my Toni has a duel for Marietta's sake! So this is +the cause of the injured hand which he brought with him! This is +charming, indeed! What else do you know about it, Regine? My paper did +not notice it." + +"But mine did; it was copied from one of your papers, as you see. I +read it yesterday and hastened here at once. I did not even stop to see +Herbert, who cannot have known anything about it, or he would have +notified me." + +"Herbert will be here at noon," said Schonan, throwing the paper +angrily upon the table. "He is at Ostwalden with Adelaide, and has +written that he will return by Furstenstein and stop over a few hours. +Perhaps he is coming on this account, but that does not change anything +in the matter. Has that boy--that Willibald--gone crazy?" + +"Yes, that he has," assented Frau von Eschenhagen in like anger. "You +made fun of me, Moritz, when I exhorted you not to let your child +associate with an actress. Indeed, I had no idea that matters could +take such a turn until the moment I discovered that Willy--that my +son--was in love with Marietta Volkmar. I snatched him instantly from +the danger and returned to Burgsdorf. This was the reason of our sudden +departure, which I kept from you, because I considered Willy's +condition as a passing fancy. The boy seemed to have returned to his +senses completely. I would not otherwise have permitted him this +journey; and to be surer still, I placed him under the protection of my +brother. He cannot have been more than three or four days in town, and +now we must live to see this!" + +Quite exhausted, she threw herself into an arm-chair. The Chief +Forester began to stride about the room vehemently. "And this is not +the worst yet," he cried. "The worst is the farce which the boy is +playing with his betrothed here. My child goes to Waldhofen day after +day, consoling and helping wherever she can, and the Herr Willy always +runs along, and uses the opportunity as a rendezvous. That is too +outrageous! You have raised something nice in that son, Regine." + +"Do you think I make excuses for him?" demanded Regine. "He shall +answer to us both--I have come for that. He shall learn to know me." + +She lifted her hand as if making a vow, and Schonan, who was still +racing through the room, repeated angrily: "Yes, he shall learn to know +us." + +Then and there the door opened, and the betrayed bride-elect entered +into this wild excitement--calm and serene as usual, and saying in the +most innocent way: "I have just heard of your arrival, dear aunt; you +are very welcome." + +She received no answer, but from both sides instead sounded the +question: "Where is Willibald?" + +"He will be here directly; he has gone to the castle gardener for a few +moments, as he did not know of his mother's arrival." + +"To the gardener! Perhaps to get roses as before," burst forth Frau von +Eschenhagen; but the Chief Forester opened his arms and cried in +pathetic tones: + +"My child! my poor betrayed child! Come to me come into your father's +arms." + +He attempted to draw his daughter to his heart, but Regine came upon +the other side and also attempted to draw her to her breast, crying out +in just as pathetic tones: "Compose yourself, Toni. An awful blow +confronts you, but you must bear it. You must show your betrothed that +he and his betrayal are an abomination to your deepest soul." + +This stormy sympathy was rather startling, but fortunately Antonie had +strong nerves. So she freed herself from the double embrace, stepped +back, and said with calm decision: "I do not think it so. I begin only +now to really like Willy." + +"So much the worse," said Schonan. "Poor child, you do not know yet; +you have no idea of anything! Your betrothed has had a duel for +another's sake." + +"I know that, papa." + +"For Marietta's sake," explained Frau von Eschenhagen. + +"I know it, dear aunt." + +"But he loves Marietta!" cried both in accord. + +"I know that, too," replied Toni, with superior mien. "I have known it +for a week." + +The effect of this explanation was so crushing that the two furious +people became silent and looked at each other in consternation. Toni +continued with imperturbable composure: + +"Willy told me everything directly upon his arrival. He spoke so +beautifully and truly that I wept with emotion. At the same time a +letter arrived from Marietta, in which she begged my pardon, and that +was still more touching. So nothing was left to me but to give back to +Willy his promise and freedom." + +"Without asking us?" exclaimed Regine. + +"The asking would not have been of any use here," said Toni, calmly, +"for I could not marry a man who tells me that he loves another. We +have therefore quietly dissolved our engagement." + +"So? And I learn it only now? You have become very independent +suddenly," cried her father angrily. + +"Willy intended to speak to you the next day, papa, but he could not +have remained here any longer after such an explanation, and just then +occurred the serious illness of Dr. Volkmar and Marietta's arrival. She +was in despair poor Marietta! and Willy's heart almost broke at the +thought of leaving her alone in this anxiety and of going away without +knowing what turn the illness would take; so I proposed to him to keep +quiet for the present, until the danger should be past; but I went with +him to Waldhofen daily, so that he could see and console Marietta. They +have been so grateful to me--those two. They have called me the +guardian angel of their love." + +The young lady seemed to find this very touching, too, for she carried +her handkerchief to her eyes. + +Frau von Eschenhagen stood stiff and rigid as a statue, but Schonan +folded his hands and said with a resigned sigh: "May God bless your +kindness, my child! but such a thing has never happened before. And you +have arranged the affair very smoothly, I must confess. You have sat +and looked quietly on while your betrothed made love to another girl." + +Antonie shook her head impatiently. Apparently she liked the role of +guardian angel, and found her position one she could fill without any +great exertion, since her affection for her betrothed had always been a +very cool one. + +"There was no sign of love-making, as the doctor was too seriously +ill," she returned. "Marietta cried incessantly and we had plenty to do +to console her. Now you see and understand that I am not at all +betrayed, and that Willy has acted openly and honestly. I asked him +myself to be silent to you, and, in fact, the matter concerns us +only----" + +"Do you think so? It is therefore of no concern to us?" interrupted the +Chief Forester furiously. + +"No, papa. Willy is of the opinion that we need not mind our parents in +this matter at all." + +"What does Willibald mean?" demanded Frau von Eschenhagen, who regained +her speech at this unheard-of assertion. + +"That each must love the other before marrying, and he is right," +declared Toni, with unusual vivacity. "It was not in our engagement at +all--in fact, we were not even consulted--but I shall not permit it +another time. I see now what it means for two people to love each other +with all their heart, and how remarkably Willy has changed through it. +I, too, want to be loved as Marietta is loved, and if I do not find a +man who loves me exactly like that--then I shall not marry at all." + +And after this remark Fraulein Antonie walked out of the room with much +decision and a highly elevated head, leaving father and aunt in an +indescribable condition. + +The Chief Forester was the first to regain composure, but suppressed +vexation was still in his voice as he turned to his sister-in-law and +said: "Your boy has managed nicely, I must confess, Regine. Now Toni +wants to be loved also, and begins to get romantic ideas in her head, +and Willy seems to be far gone already in that respect. I actually +believe he has managed to make this second proposal by himself." + +Frau von Eschenhagen paid no attention to this bitter hint of her +interference at the former time. Her face bore an expression which +promised nothing good. + +"You seem to look upon this affair from a comic standpoint," she said. +"I take it differently." + +"That will not help you any," returned Schonan. "When such a model son +commences to rebel, the affair is usually hopeless, especially when he +is in love. But I am curious to know how Willy behaves himself as a +lover--it must be a remarkable sight!" + + + + + CHAPTER XLI. + + +Herr von Schonan's curiosity was to be immediately satisfied, for Willy +now appeared. He had heard of the arrival of his mother and was +therefore prepared for anything, for that there must be something +especial to bring her to Furstenstein so unexpectedly, he knew. But the +young lord did not shrink back this time as he did two months ago, when +he timidly concealed the rose in his pocket. His bearing betrayed that +he was determined to take up the unavoidable contest. + +"Here is your mother, Willy," commenced the Chief Forester. "I suppose +you are very much surprised to see her here?" + +"No, uncle, I am not," was the answer, but the young man made no +attempt to approach his mother, for she stood there like a threatening +storm cloud, and her voice rumbled like distant thunder as she said: +"So you know why I have come?" + +"I at least guess it, mamma, even if I cannot understand how you have +heard----" + +"The papers have told all--there it lies," interrupted Frau von +Eschenhagen, pointing to the table, "and, besides, Toni has told us +everything--do you hear? everything!" + +She pronounced this last word in an annihilating tone. Willy was not +moved from his composure, but replied tranquilly: + +"Well, I shall not have to tell you, then. I should have spoken to +uncle to-day about it." + +This was too much. The storm cloud burst now with thunder and +lightning; it loaded and discharged with such vehemence over the head +of the young lord that really nothing seemed left for him to do but to +disappear quickly under the ground, which could not bear a person of +his kind any longer. + +But he did not disappear; he only bowed his head to the storm, and when +it finally subsided--for Frau Regine had necessarily to draw breath +some time--he drew himself up and said: "Mamma, please let me talk." + +"You want to talk? that is remarkable," declared Schonan, who was not +used to such efforts from his daughter's betrothed; but Willibald +actually began, hesitatingly and uncertainly at first, but he gradually +acquired firmness in speech and bearing. + +"I am sorry that I have to offend you, but it could not be helped. I am +just as innocent about the duel as Marietta is. She was being followed +by an impertinent fellow persistently. I protected her and chastised +the offender, who sent me a challenge, which I never could nor would +decline. I have to beg Toni's pardon alone for loving Marietta, and I +did that immediately upon my arrival. She heard everything and gave me +back my pledge. Indeed, we have broken our engagement much more +independently than we formed it." + +"Oh, ho, is that meant for us?" cried the Forester angrily. "We did not +force you--both of you could have said no if you had wished." + +"Well, we do that now as a supplement," returned Willibald, so quickly +that Schonan looked at him amazed. "Toni came to the same conclusion +that custom alone is not sufficient for marriage, and if one has +learned to know happiness, one wants to possess it also." + +Fran von Eschenhagen, who had not yet quite regained her breath, +started at these words as if bitten by a snake. It had never entered +her mind that a second engagement would follow the first, now broken. +She had never contemplated this most awful of possibilities. + +"Possess it," she repeated. "What do you wish to possess? Does that +mean perhaps that you want to marry this Marietta--this creature----" + +"Mamma, I beg you to speak in a different tone of my future wife," her +son interrupted her, so gravely and decidedly that the angry mother +stopped indeed. "Toni has given me freedom; therefore there is no wrong +in my love for Marietta, and Marietta's reputation is blameless--I am +convinced of that. Whoever hurts or offends her has to answer to me, +even if it should be my own mother." + +"Hear, hear! the boy is coming out," murmured the Chief Forester, with +whom the sense of justice overpowered his vexation, but Frau von +Eschenhagen was far from listening to justice. + +She had thought to crush her son with her appearance, and now he +offered her resistance in this never before heard of manner. + +His manly behavior tried her most, as she recognized by it how deep and +powerful was the feeling which could change him so completely. + +"I will spare you the enforcement of it toward your mother," she said +with boundless bitterness. "You are of age, and master of Burgsdorf. I +cannot prevent you, but if you really bring this Marietta Volkmar there +as your wife--then I leave." + +This threat did not miss its aim. Willibald started and drew back. + +"Mamma, you speak in anger." + +"I speak in deepest earnestness. As soon as an actress enters the house +where I have lived and worked for thirty years--where I had hoped to +lay my head down for its final rest--I shall leave the house forever. +She may reign there then. You have the choice between her and your +mother." + +"But, Regine, do not force it to such a conclusion," Schonan tried to +pacify her. "You torture the poor boy with this cruel 'either--or.'" + +Regine did not listen to the exhortation. She stood there white to the +lips, her eyes immovably fixed upon her son, and she repeated +unyieldingly: + +"Decide for yourself--this girl or me." + +Willibald had also turned pale, and his lips quivered painfully and +bitterly as he said in a low tone: + +"That's hard, mamma; you know how I love you, and how you hurt me with +your going away; but if you really are so cruel as to force me to +choose, well then"--he straightened himself with decision--"then I +choose my betrothed." + +"Bravo!" cried the Chief Forester, forgetting entirely that he was one +of the offended ones. "Willy, I feel like Toni. I begin only now to +really like you. I am positively sorry now that you will not be my +son-in-law." + +Frau von Eschenhagen had not expected such a turn of affairs. She had +trusted in her old power, which she now saw fall into fragments, but +she was not the woman to give in. She would not have bent her obstinate +will even if her life had depended upon it. + +"Good! then we have finished with each other," she said curtly, and +turned to go without heeding her brother-in-law, who followed her, +trying to pacify her; but before they reached the door it was opened +and a servant entered with a hasty announcement: + +"The steward of Rodeck is outside and begs----" + +"I have no time now," stormed the impulsive Schonan. "Tell Stadinger I +cannot speak with him at present. I have important family affairs----" + +He did not finish, for Stadinger already stood upon the threshold, +having followed the servant closely, and said in a peculiarly +suppressed tone: "I come about a family affair also, Herr Chief +Forester, but it is a sad one. I cannot wait, but must speak to you +immediately." + +"But what is it?" asked Schonan, mystified. "Has something happened? +The Prince is not at Rodeck so far as I know." + +"No, mein Herr. His Highness is in town, but Herr Rojanow is there and +sends me. He begs you and Herr von Eschenhagen to come to Rodeck +immediately, and you, gracious lady"--he glanced at Frau von +Eschenhagen, whom he knew from her former visits to Furstenstein--"you +would do well to come likewise." + +"But why? What has happened?" cried Schonan, now really disturbed. + +The old man hesitated; he had apparently been charged to break the news +gradually. Finally he said: "His Excellency, Herr von Wallmoden, is at +the castle, and the Frau Baroness also." + +"My brother!" interrupted Regine with apprehension. + +"Yes, gracious lady. His Excellency fell out of the carriage, and now +he lies there unconscious, which means to the physician we called in +great haste that the matter is dangerous." + +"In God's name! we must go at once, Moritz," cried the frightened lady. + +Herr von Schonan had already grasped the bell rope and pulled it. + +"The carriage as quick as possible!" he cried to the servant. "How did +it happen, Stadinger? Tell us what you know." + +"The Herr Baron was coming from Ostwalden with the gracious lady, +intending to come to Furstenstein," responded Stadinger. "The road, you +know, leads through the Rodeck tract not far from the castle. Our +Forester, who was with some of his subordinates in the Wald, fired a +few shots, and a wounded deer dashed across the road in wild flight +just by the carriage. The horses took fright and ran--the driver could +not hold them. The two Foresters who saw it ran after them. They heard +the Frau Baroness beg her husband: 'Remain seated. Herbert! for God's +sake, no, do not jump,' but His Excellency seemed to have lost his head +entirely. He tore the door open and jumped. At the wild pace they were +going he fell, of course, with full force, and against a tree. The +driver succeeded in bringing his horses to a standstill not far at a +bend of the road. The Frau Baroness, who was not hurt, hastened to the +place of misfortune as quickly as possible, and she found the poor +gentleman there seriously injured and unconscious. The Forester's +people carried him to Rodeck, which was near by. Herr Rojanow has +looked after everything that could be done at the moment, and now he +sends me to bring you the news." + +It was natural that under the pressure of this heart-rending news the +recent bitter family quarrel should cease instantly. In great haste +they made ready for departure. Antonie was called and informed, and as +soon as the carriage drove up the Chief Forester and his sister-in-law +hastened downstairs. + +Willibald, who followed with Stadinger, detained him on the steps for a +moment and asked in a low tone: "Has the doctor given his opinion? Do +you know anything more about it?" + +The old man nodded sadly, and answered also in low tones: "I stood near +when Herr Rojanow asked him in the ante-room. There is no hope--the +poor Excellency will not live through the day." + + + + + CHAPTER XLII. + + +The little hunting castle of Rodeck, which lay so cold and lonely in +the first December snowy days, had seldom seen such excitement as +to-day. + +It was about noon when the two Foresters, whose firing was the innocent +cause of the disaster, brought the injured Ambassador to the house. +They had known that the longer march to Furstenstein was impossible, so +they turned toward Rodeck, which lay scarcely a quarter of an hour's +walk from the place of the accident. + +Hartmut Rojanow, who was at the castle, was immediately called, and had +made the necessary arrangements with quick decision. The rooms which +Prince Adelsberg usually occupied were put at the disposal of the +Baroness, and a messenger was despatched on horseback for the nearest +physician, who, fortunately, was easy to reach. + +When the doctor's statement allowed no hope, Stadinger was sent to +Furstenstein to summon the relatives, who soon arrived, but only to +find Herr von Wallmoden dying. He did not regain the consciousness +which he had lost in that awful fall; he lay there immovable, +recognizing no one; and when the day drew to a close all was over. + +The Chief Forester, with Willibald, returned to Furstenstein toward +night. He had sent a telegram before leaving Furstenstein, to notify +the Embassy of the sad accident which had befallen its chief, and now +had to follow it with the announcement of his death. + +Frau von Eschenhagen had remained at Rodeck with her brother's widow. +To-morrow preparations would be made to carry the body to the Residenz, +and the two ladies wished to remain at his side until then. + +Adelaide, who had proved so courageous during the danger, and who had +done her full duty at the bedside of her husband, seemed, now that this +duty was over, to give way entirely under the sudden and prostrating +blow. She was stunned and dazed by the awful accident. + + * * * * * + +At the window of his room, which was in an upper story, stood Hartmut, +gazing out into the desolate forest, which glittered so ghostly in the +dim starlight. Yesterday had brought the first snow, and now everything +was stiff in its cold embrace. The large lawn in front of the castle +was deeply covered; the trees bent heavily under their white burden, +and the broad branches of the firs were bowed to the ground. + +Up there in the dark night sky, star after star shone in calm splendor, +and far off on the northern horizon dawned a slight rosy light, like +the first greeting of the dawn. And yet it was night cold, icy cold, +winter night, in which as yet no ray of the coming day could fall. + +Hartmut's eyes were riveted upon the mysterious glow. In his heart, +too, it was dark, and yet something dawned there, fair and low, +like the dawn of the morn. He had not seen Adelaide von Wallmoden +since that fatal hour upon the forest height, until he met her +to-day at the side of her husband, who had been borne, bleeding and +unconscious--dying--into the castle. + +This sight forced back every remembrance, and demanded assistance to +the extent of his power. He had not entered the death chamber, and had +only received the doctor's report; neither had he appeared upon Frau +von Eschenhagen's arrival, but later on had spoken with the Chief +Forester and Willibald. Now everything was decided. Herbert von +Wallmoden was no longer among the living, and his wife was a widow--was +free. + +A deep breath agitated Hartmut's breast at the thought, and yet nothing +joyful was in it, although his feelings had undergone a change since +the hour he ventured his highest stake and--lost. + +But that hour had proved to him the deep abyss which was open between +them even now that the bond of Adelaide's marriage was broken. She had +"shuddered" before the man who believed in nothing--to whom nothing was +sacred, and he was the same man he had been then. + +He had offered an apology without words in the creation of the added +portion of Arivana which bore her name, but Ada had floated back to the +heights from which she had come with her cry of warning, and mankind, +with their glowing hate and love, remained upon earth. + +Hartmut Rojanow could not force the hot, wild blood which flowed in his +veins into a quiet movement; he could not bow to a life full of strict +obedience and duty--neither did he wish to. For what had the genius +which won his way everywhere been given him, if it could not lift him +over the duties and barriers of every-day life? + +And yet he knew that those large, blue eyes pointed inexorably to the +hated path--that would never do. + +The red glimmer over the forest yonder had turned darker and risen +higher. It looked like the reflection of a powerful fire; but that +calm, steady light came from no fire. Immovable it stood in the north; +mysterious, high, and far removed--an aurora in approaching splendor. + +The rolling of a carriage coming near in great haste broke Hartmut from +his revery. It was past nine o'clock; who could arrive at such an hour? +Perhaps it was the second physician who had been sent for in the +afternoon, but who had been away from home; perhaps some one from +Ostwalden, where the news may have already been carried. + +Now the carriage turned the corner of the lawn; the wheels crunched +upon the hard, frozen ground, and the vehicle reached the main entrance +of the castle. + +Rojanow, who to-day represented the master of the house, left his room +and started to meet the new arrival. He had reached the stairs which +led down to the entrance hall, and put his foot upon the first step, +when he suddenly shuddered and remained rooted to the spot. + +Down there a voice spoke which he had not heard for ten long years; it +was suppressed, and yet he recognized it at the first moment. + +"I come from the Embassy. We received a dispatch this afternoon, and I +took the first train to hasten here. How is he? Can I see Herr von +Wallmoden?" + +Stadinger, who had received the newcomer, replied in such low tones +that the import of his words was lost to Hartmut, but the stranger +asked hastily: "I do not come too late?" + +"Yes, mein Herr. Herr von Wallmoden died this afternoon." + +A short pause followed, then the stranger said, huskily but firmly: +"Lead me to the widow--announce Colonel von Falkenried." + +Stadinger turned to go, followed by a tall figure in a military cloak, +of which one could see only the outlines in the dimly-lighted hall. + +The two figures had long ago disappeared in the lower rooms, and still +Hartmut stood leaning on the baluster, looking downward. Only when +Stadinger returned alone did he collect himself and retire to his room. + +Here he walked restlessly for a quarter of an hour. It was a hard, +silent conflict which he waged. He had never been able to bend his +pride; had never humbled himself, but he had to bow low before his +deeply offended father--he knew that. But again a burning, absorbing +longing overcame him, becoming all-powerful and finally conquering. He +drew himself up resolutely. + +"No, I will not shrink like a coward now. We are under one roof; the +same walls surround us; now it shall be ventured. He is my father and I +am his son." + + + + + CHAPTER XLIII. + + +The castle clock struck twelve in slow, hollow strokes. Deathlike +stillness lay over the forest outside, and it was as still in the house +where a corpse lay. The steward and servants had retired, as had Frau +von Eschenhagen. Exhausted nature demanded its due. She had made the +long, tedious journey from Burgsdorf without stop, and had lived +through the hard, trying day. + +Only a few windows were dimly lighted; they belonged to the rooms which +had been appointed to Frau von Wallmoden and Colonel Falkenried, which +lay near together, separated only by an ante-room. + +Falkenried intended to accompany the widow back to the Residenz on the +morrow. He had spoken with her and Regine, and had stood for a long +time beside the body of his friend, who only yesterday had called to +him so confidently, "_auf wiedersehen_"--who had been so full of his +projects and plans for his future and his newly acquired possessions. +Now all this had come to an end. Cold and stiff he lay upon his bier, +and cold and gloomy Falkenried now stood at the window of his room. +Even this awful accident was not able to shake his stony composure, for +he had long ago forgotten to consider death a misfortune. _Life_ was +hard--but not death. + +He looked silently out into the winter night and he, too, saw the +ghostly glimmer which lighted the darkness out there. Dark-red it now +glowed upon the distant horizon, and the whole of the northern sky +seemed penetrated by invisible flames. + +Redlike, as through a purple veil, twinkled the stars. Now a few +distant rays shot up, growing more numerous, and rising always higher +to the zenith. + +Beneath this flaming sky the snow-covered world lay cold and white. The +aurora was shining in the fulness of its splendor! + +Falkenried was so lost in the glory of the sight that he did not hear +the opening and closing of the door of the ante-room. Carefully the +partly closed door of his own room was now opened, but the one entering +did not bring himself into view, but remained motionless upon the +threshold. + +Colonel Falkenried still stood at the window half-averted, but the +flickering light of the candles which burned upon the table lighted his +face distinctly; the strong, deep lines of the features, and the +gloomy, careworn brow beneath the white hair. + +Hartmut shivered involuntarily; he had not anticipated such a deep and +awful change. The man standing in his prime, looked aged, and who had +brought this premature age upon him? + +A few moments passed in this deep silence, then a voice vibrated +through the room half-audible, beseeching, and full of a tenderness +suppressed with difficulty--a single word pregnant with meaning. + +"Father!" + +Falkenried started as if a spirit voice had reached his ear. Slowly he +turned as if really believing he heard a spirit-haunting voice. + +Hartmut quickly approached a few steps, then stood still. + +"Father, it is I--I come----" + +He stopped short, for now he met his father's eyes; those eyes which he +had feared so much, and what they now expressed robbed him of the +courage to speak further. He bowed his head in silence. + +Every drop of blood seemed to have left the face of Colonel Falkenried. +He had not known--he had no idea that his son was under the same roof +with him; the meeting found him totally unprepared, but it did not tear +from him one exclamation, nor sign of anger or weakness. Rigid and mute +he stood there and looked upon him who had once been his all. At last +he raised his hand and pointed to the door. + +"Go!" + +"Father, listen to me----" + +"Go, I say." The command now sounded threatening. + +"No, I shall not go!" cried Hartmut passionately. "I know that +reconciliation with you depends upon this hour. I have offended +you--how deeply and seriously I feel only now--but I was a boy of +seventeen, and it was my mother whom I followed. Think of that, father, +and pardon me--grant pardon to your son." + +"You are the son of the woman whose name you bear--not mine!" said the +Colonel with cutting scorn. "A Falkenried has no son without honor." + +Hartmut was about to burst forth at this awful word; the blood rose hot +and wild to his brow, but he looked upon that other brow beneath the +hair bleached like snow, and with superhuman effort controlled himself. + +The two believed themselves alone during this interview in the +stillness of the night--surely everything was sleeping in the castle. +They had no idea that a witness was there. + +Adelaide von Wallmoden had not retired to rest. She knew that she could +find no sleep after this day which had so suddenly and disastrously +made her a widow. Dressed still in the dark traveling suit which she +had worn on the unfortunate drive, she sat in her room, when suddenly +Colonel Falkenried's voice reached her ear. + +With whom could he be speaking at such an hour? Was he not a total +stranger here? And the voice sounded so strangely hollow and +threatening. + +She arose in alarm and entered the ante-room which separated the two +sleeping apartments--for only a moment, she thought--only to see +that nothing had happened; then she heard another voice which she +knew--heard the word "Father," and like lightning the truth flashed +upon her, which the next words confirmed. As if paralyzed, she remained +standing there, every word reaching her through the partly closed door. + +"You make this hour hard for me," said Hartmut with painfully sustained +composure. "Be it so--I have not expected it otherwise. Wallmoden has +told you everything. I might have known it, but then he could not keep +from you what I have sought and won. I bring to you the laurel of the +poet, father--the first laurel which has come to me. Learn to know my +work; let it speak to you, then you will feel that its creator could +not live and breathe in the constraint of a vocation which kills every +poetical emotion; then you will forget the unfortunate error of the +boy." + +Here again it was Hartmut Rojanow who spoke thus with his overweening +self-consciousness and pride, which did not leave him even in this +hour; the poet of Arivana, for whom there existed no duties--no +barriers; but he encountered a rock here, upon which he shattered. + +"The boy's error!" repeated Falkenried, just as harshly as before. +"Yes, they called it so to make it possible for me to remain in the +army. I name it differently, and so does every one of my comrades. You +were to have been an ensign. In a few weeks it would have been +desertion of the standard by law also. I have never considered it +anything else. You had been raised in the strict discipline of honor of +our caste, and knew what you did, for you were no longer a boy. _He who +flees secretly from the military service which he owes his fatherland +is a deserter; he who breaks a vow--a given word--is without honor. You +did both!_ But of course you and your kind pass over such things +easily." + +Hartmut clenched his teeth; his whole body trembled at these merciless +words, and his voice sounded hollow, choked, as he answered: + +"Enough, father. I cannot bear it. I wished to bow before you--wished +to submit--but you yourself drive me from you. This is the same cruel +sternness with which you drove my mother from you. I know it from her +own lips. Whatever her later life was, and however through it my own +has developed--this severity alone has been the cause of it." + +The Colonel folded his arms, and an expression of unspeakable disdain +quivered around his mouth. + +"From her own lips you know? Possibly. No woman has sunk so deeply but +she would try to veil such a truth from her son. I did not wish to +pollute your ears at that time with this truth, for you were innocent +and pure. Now you will probably understand me when I tell you that the +separation was a demand of honor. The man who stained my honor fell by +my bullet, and she who betrayed me--I pushed from me." + +Hartmut became white as death at this disclosure. He had never thought +that. He had fully believed that only the harshness which lay in his +father's character had caused the separation. The remembrance of his +mother fell lower and lower; he had loved her just as ardently as she +had loved him, even when he felt at times that she was his ruin. + +"I wished to protect you from the poisonous breath of this presence and +influence," continued Falkenried. "Fool that I was! You were lost to me +even without the coming of your mother. You bear her features; it is +her blood that courses through your veins, and it would have demanded +its dominion sooner or later. You would have become anyway what you are +now--a homeless adventurer, who does not recognize his fatherland and +his honor." + +"This is too much!" burst forth Hartmut wildly. "I shall not permit +myself to be so abused, even by you. I see now that no reconciliation +between us is possible. I go, but the world will judge differently from +you. It has already crowned my first work, and I shall force from it +the appreciation which my own father keeps from me." + +The Colonel looked at his son--something awful was in the glance; then +he said icily and slowly, emphasizing each word: "Then take care also +that the world does not learn that the 'crowned poet' did a spy's +service two years ago at Paris." + +Hartmut shrank as if hit by a bullet. + +"I? In Paris? Are you out of your senses?" + +Falkenried shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. + +"Acting besides? Do not trouble yourself--I know all. Wallmoden proved +to me what role Zalika Rojanow and her son played at Paris. I know the +origin of the means by which they continued the life they were +accustomed to when their wealth was lost. They were very much sought +after by the commissioners, for they were exceedingly apt, and they who +bought their services received them." + +Hartmut stood as if lifeless. So this was the awful solution of the +problem which Wallmoden had given him that night in his hint. He had +not understood its meaning then, but sought the solution in another +direction. This was it, then, which his mother kept from him--from +which she had diverted him with caresses and coaxings whenever he +put a suspicious question. She had sunk to the last, most disgraceful +lot--and her son was branded with her. + +The silence which now ensued was awful; it lasted for minutes, and when +Hartmut finally spoke again his voice had lost its sound--the words +came brokenly, almost inaudibly, from his lips: + +"And you believe--that I--that I knew about this?" + +"Yes," said the Colonel, coldly and firmly. + +"Father, you cannot--must not do that. The punishment would be too +terrible. You must believe me when I tell you that I had no idea +of this disgrace--that I believed a part of our wealth had been +saved--that--you will believe me, father?" + +"No." Falkenried remained rigid and unbending as before. + +Beside himself with anguish, Hartmut fell upon his knees. + +"Father, before everything that is sacred to you in heaven or in +earth--oh, do not look at me so terribly. You drive me frantic with +that look! Father, I give you my word of honor----" + +An awful, wild laugh from his father interrupted him. + +"Your word of honor as at that time at Burgsdorf. Get up--abandon +acting; you do not deceive me by it. You went from me with a breaking +of your word--_you return with a lie_. Go your own way--I go mine. Only +one thing I request of you--command you. Do not dare to use the name of +Falkenried by the side of the branded one of Rojanow. Never let the +world know who you are. When that happens my blood will be upon you, +for then--I end with life!" + +With a loud cry Hartmut sprang to his feet and approached his father, +but Falkenried repelled him by a commanding gesture. + +"Do you think that I still love life? I have borne it because I had +to--perhaps I considered it my duty; but there is one point where this +duty ends; you know it now--act accordingly." + +He turned his back upon his son and walked to the window. Hartmut did +not speak another word. Mutely he turned to go. + +The ante-room was not lighted, yet it was filled with the glow +of the blazing skies outside, and in this glow stood a woman--deathly +pale--with eyes fixed with an indescribable expression upon the one +approaching. + +He glanced up and a single look showed him that she knew all. This was +the last. He had received his mortal humiliation before the woman he +loved--had been thrown into the dust before her! + +Hartmut did not know how he left the castle, how he reached the open +air. He only felt that he should stifle in those walls--that he was +driven forth with fury and power. He found himself at last under a fir +tree, which bowed its snow-covered limbs over him. It was night in the +forest--cold, icy winter night, but up there in the sky the mysterious +light shone on and on with purple power, with quivering rays, which +united at the zenith into a crown. + + + + + CHAPTER XLIV. + + +It was summer again. July had commenced, and in the hot, sun-parched +days the forest mountains beckoned irresistibly with their cool +shadows, and the green, airy splendor of their dales and heights. + +Ostwalden, the estate which Herbert von Wallmoden had purchased +immediately before his death, and had not been permitted to live in for +even one summer, had since then rested in solitude. But a few days ago +the young widow had arrived there in company with her sister-in-law, +Frau von Eschenhagen. + +Adelaide had left the South German Residenz shortly after the death of +her husband and returned home with her brother, who had hastened to her +side at the news of her husband's death. Her short married life had +lasted but eight months, and now the wife, not yet twenty years old, +wore the widow's veil. + +Regine had been easily persuaded to accompany her sister-in-law. The +once absolute mistress of Burgsdorf had stood to her "either--or," and +as Willibald proved just as obstinate, she had made her threat true, +and had moved to town even during the first period of mourning for her +brother. + +But Frau von Eschenhagen deceived herself if she thought to gain her +end by this last move. She had hoped that her son would not let it come +to a real separation, but it was in vain that she let him feel the full +bitterness of the separation. The young master had had full opportunity +to prove that his newly awakened independence and love were not mere +momentary feelings. + +He tried everything to make his mother reconsider, but when he did not +succeed, he showed a like stubbornness, and mother and son had not seen +each other for months. + +However, his engagement with Marietta had not been made public as yet. +He believed he owed his former fiancee and her father too much respect +to allow a second betrothal to follow too soon upon the heels of the +first. Besides, Marietta was bound by contract to the theatre for fully +six months, and as her betrothal was to remain a secret for the +present, she could not obtain an earlier release. Only now had the +young girl returned to her grandfather at Waldhofen, where Willibald +was also expected. + +Of course Frau von Eschenhagen knew nothing about this or she would +hardly have accepted the invitation which brought her into the +neighborhood. + +The day had been so warm and sunny that only late afternoon brought +cooler air, but the road to Ostwalden was mostly shady, as it lay +through the forests of Rodeck. + +Two horsemen were now on this road; one in gray hunting jacket and +hat--the Chief Forester, von Schonan; the other a slender, youthful +form clad in a distinguished looking summer suit--Prince Adelsberg. +They had met by chance and learned that both were bound for the same, +destination. + +"I should not have dreamed of meeting you here, Your Highness," said +Schonan. "It was said that you would not visit Rodeck at all this +summer, and Stadinger, with whom I spoke the day before yesterday, did +not know a syllable of your near arrival." + +"No; and he cried Ach! and Weh! when I fell upon the house so +unexpectedly," replied Egon. "It would not have needed much to make him +show me from my own door, because I followed my dispatch instantly, and +nothing was prepared for me. But the heat at Ostend was well-nigh +unbearable. I could not stand the glowing sands of the beach any +longer, and was overcome by an irrepressible longing for my cool, quiet +forest nook. God be thanked that I have gotten away from the heat and +fuss of a watering place!" + +His Highness was pleased not to tell the truth in this case. He had +hastened here from the beach of the North Sea to enjoy a certain +"neighborhood" of which he happened to hear. Stadinger had mentioned in +a report, in which he asked for permission to make some changes at +Rodeck, that these same arrangements had already been made at +Ostwalden, where Frau von Wallmoden dwelt at present. + +To his surprise, instead of the expected permission, his young master +arrived in person after three days. The Prince had not known anything +better after this news than to throw over all his summer plans. + +The Chief Forester did not seem to believe the pretext, for he remarked +somewhat sarcastically: "It surprises me, indeed then, that our Court +stays at Ostend so long. The Duke and Duchess are there; also Princess +Sophie, with a niece--a relative of her late husband, I hear." + +"Yes, a niece." Egon turned suddenly and looked at the speaker. "Herr +Chief Forester, you, too, want to deliver congratulations to me--I see +it in your face--but if you do that I shall challenge you instantly +here in the midst of the forest." + +"Well, Your Highness, I do not intend to bring a duel upon myself," +laughed Schonan, "but the newspapers already speak quite openly of an +approaching or already consummated engagement, which suits the wishes +of the princely ladies." + +"My most gracious aunts wish many things," said Egon coolly. "Their +most obedient nephew, though, is often of a different opinion, alas; +and it has been the case this time also. I went to Ostend upon the +invitation of the Duke, which I could not refuse, but the air did not +agree with me at all, and I cannot risk my health so recklessly. I felt +the first symptoms of sunstroke, which would certainly have taken me +off, so I decided, then, in good time----" + +"To take yourself off," finished Schonan. "This is like Your Highness, +but now you can count upon a three-fold displeasure." + +"Possibly. I shall bear it in solitude and self-banishment. I intend, +besides"--here the young Prince drew a very solemn face--"to give all +my attention this summer to my estates--especially Rodeck. A change in +the building shall be made there--Stadinger has already written me +about it, but I considered a personal surveillance necessary." + +"On account of the chimneys?" asked Schonan dryly. "Stadinger thought +that as the chimneys smoked last winter, he would like to have new ones +built." + +"What does Stadinger know about it?" cried Egon, vexed that his old +"Waldgeist" had again gotten ahead of him with his most uncomfortable +love for truth. "I have very grand plans for beautifying---- Ah, here +we are!" + +He started his horse into a quicker gait and the Chief Forester +followed his example, for Ostwalden indeed lay before them. + +The extensive changes with which the late Wallmoden had intended to +convert Ostwalden into a splendid show place had not been made; but the +old ivy-covered castle, with its two side turrets, and the shady, +although somewhat neglected park, possessed a picturesque charm. It was +understood that the present mistress intended neither changes nor a +sale of the property, for to the heiress of the Stahlberg wealth a +villa more or less was of no consequence. + +Upon their arrival the gentlemen learned that Frau von Wallmoden was in +the park; but Frau von Eschenhagen was in her room. The Prince allowed +himself to be announced to the lady of the house, while the Chief +Forester first looked up his sister-in-law, whom he had not seen since +the previous winter. He went to her apartments and entered without more +ado. + +"Here I am," he announced in his usual unceremonious manner. "I don't +need to be announced to my Frau sister, even if she seems to hold me at +arm's length. Why did you not come along, Regine, when Adelaide drove +to Furstenstein the day before yesterday? Of course, I do not believe +the excuse which she brought me in your name, and have now come two +hours' riding on horseback to ask for an explanation." + +Regine offered him her hand. She had not changed outwardly in these six +or seven months. She still bore the same strong, self-reliant +appearance and decided way, but her former serenity and cheerfulness, +which, in spite of her brusquerie, were so winning, had disappeared +from her manner. If she never acknowledged it under any circumstances, +it was plainly to be seen that she suffered because her only son grew +strange to her--the son to whom once his mother's love and will had +been all things. + +"I have nothing against you, Moritz," she replied. "I know that you +have retained the old friendship for me in spite of all that has been +done to you and your daughter; but you ought to understand how +embarrassing it is to me to visit Furstenstein again." + +"On account of the dissolved engagement? You ought to be consoled about +it at last. You were present and saw and heard how easily Toni took +matters. She was decidedly better pleased with her role of 'guardian +angel' than with that of fiancee; and she has tried several times to +change your mind by her letters, just as I have; but we both have been +unsuccessful." + +"No; I know how to value your rare magnanimity." + +"Rare magnanimity!" repeated Schonan, laughing. "Well, yes, it might +not happen often that the former fiancee and prospective father-in-law +put in a good word for the recreant betrothed, so that he and his +sweetheart may gain the maternal blessing. But for once we are thus +superior in our frankness; and besides, both of us came to the +conclusion that Willy, in fact, has only now become a sensible person, +and this has been accomplished solely and alone by--yes, I cannot help +it, Regine--by the little Marietta." + +Frau von Eschenhagen frowned at this remark. She did not consider it +best to answer it, but asked in a tone that plainly betrayed her wish +to change the subject: "Has Toni returned? I learned through Adelaide +that she had been at the Residenz, but was daily expected home." + +The Chief Forester, who had accepted a seat in the meantime, leaned +back comfortably in his chair. + +"Yes, she returned yesterday, but with a second shadow, for she brought +some one along, who she insists must and shall be her future husband, +and he insists upon it likewise with such emphasis, that really nothing +is left for me to do but to say Yes--Amen!" + +"What! Toni engaged again?" asked Frau von Eschenhagen in surprise. + +"Yes, but this time she managed it all by herself; I did not have an +inkling of it. You will remember that she took it into her head at that +time that she, too, wanted to be loved in a surpassing manner, and +enjoy the usual romance of it. Herr Lieutenant von Waldorf seems to +have attended to that. He has, as she told me with highest +satisfaction, sunk on his knees before her, and declared he could not +and would not live without her, while she gave him a similar touching +assurance, and so forth. Yes, Regine, it will not do any longer to lead +the children by the apron strings when they become of age. They imagine +that marriage is solely their affair, and really they are not so far +wrong about it." + +The last remark sounded very suggestive, but Regine overlooked it +completely. She repeated thoughtfully: + +"Waldorf? the name is quite strange to me. Where did Toni get +acquainted with the young officer?" + +"He is my son's friend and he brought him home with him at his last +visit. In consequence of that an acquaintance with his mother was +begun, which ripened until she invited Toni to visit her some weeks, +and there and then the falling in love and engagement took place. I +have nothing to say against it. Waldorf is handsome, jolly, and in love +up to his ears. He does seem to be a little volatile, but he will +settle down when he gets a sensible wife. The model boys are not after +my taste; they are the very worst when they do get wild, as we have +seen in your Willy. Waldorf will get his discharge in the fall, for my +daughter is not suited for a lieutenant's wife. I will buy an estate +for the young couple, and the wedding will occur at Christmas." + +"I am so glad for Toni's sake," said Frau von Eschenhagen, cordially. +"You take a burden from my heart by this news." + +"I am glad, too," nodded the Chief Forester, "but now you ought to +follow my example and take a burden from the hearts of a certain +other couple. Be reasonable, Regine, and give in! The little Marietta +has remained true, although she was on the stage. Everybody praises +her blameless conduct. You do not need to be ashamed of your +daughter-in-law." + +Regine arose suddenly and pushed her chair back. + +"I beg you once for all, Moritz, to spare me such requests. I shall +stand firm at my word. Willibald knows the condition under which alone +I will return to Burgsdorf. If he does not fulfil it--the separation +remains." + +"He knows better," said Schonan dryly, "than to give up his bride-elect +and marriage solely because she does not suit his Frau mamma. Such +conditions are never fulfilled." + +"You express yourself very amiably indeed," returned Frau von +Eschenhagen angrily. "Of course, what do you know of the love and +anxiety of a mother, or of the gratitude her children owe her? All of +you are ungrateful, inconsiderate, selfish----" + +"Oho! I beg you, in the name of my sex, to refrain from such +vituperations," interrupted the Chief Forester hotly; but suddenly he +reconsidered and said: "We have not seen each other for seven months, +Regine; we really ought not to quarrel the first day again--we can do +that later on. Let us therefore leave your refractory son alone for the +present, and speak of ourselves. How do you like it in town? You do not +exactly look so very well satisfied." + +"I am exceptionally satisfied," declared Regine with great decision. +"What I need only is work. I am not used to idleness." + +"Then create work for yourself. It rests solely with you to again step +to the head of a large household." + +"Are you commencing again----" + +"I did not mean Burgsdorf this time," said Schonan, playing with his +riding whip. "I only meant--you sit all alone in town, and I shall sit +all alone at Furstenstein when Toni marries--that is very tiresome! How +would it be--well, I have already explained it to you once before, but +you did not want me then. Perhaps you have bethought yourself better +now. How would it be if we should make the third couple at this double +wedding?" + +Frau von Eschenhagen looked gloomily to the floor and shook her head. + +"No, Moritz. I feel less like marrying now than ever." + +"Already a 'No' again!" shouted the Chief Forester wrathfully. "Is this +a second refusal you give me? At first you did not want me because your +son and your beloved Burgsdorf had grown too near your heart, and now +when you see that both get along very well without you, you do not want +me because you do not '_feel like it_.' Feeling does not belong to +marrying, anyhow only some sense is wanted; but if one is +unreasonableness and obstinacy personified----" + +"You woo me in a very flattering manner, indeed," interrupted Regine, +now wrathful also. "It would be an exceedingly peaceful marriage if you +act like this as a suitor." + +"It would not be peaceful, but neither would it be tiresome," declared +Schonan. "I believe we could both stand it. Once more, Regine, do you +want me or do you not want me?" + +"No; I do not care to '_stand_' a married life." + +"Then let it alone!" cried the Chief Forester furiously, jumping up and +snatching his hat. "If it gives you so much pleasure to say 'No' +forever, then say it. But Willy will marry in spite of you, and he is +right; and now I shall be the best man at the wedding just to spite +you." + +With which he rushed off, quite beside himself at this second jilting, +and Frau von Eschenhagen remained behind in a similar frame of mind. +They had really quarrelled again at the first _Wiedersehen_, and even +the second refusal could not be left out of this friendly habit. + + + + + CHAPTER XLV. + + +Meantime Prince Adelsberg was with Frau von Wallmoden in the park. He +had begged her not to interrupt her outing, and so they both walked in +the shade of the huge trees in the cool, green twilight, while out on +the meadow lay still the glaring sunlight. + +Egon had not seen the young widow since the death of her husband. The +formal visit of condolence, which he had made after the accident, had +been received by Eugene Stahlberg in the name of his sister, and then +they had left the city immediately. + +Adelaide wore, of course, the widow's mourning; but her companion +thought he had never seen her so beautiful as to-day in the deep, +sombre black and crepe veil, beneath which the blonde hair glimmered. +His glance passed repeatedly over this beautiful blonde head, and +always the question recurred: What has really happened to these +features that they look so entirely different? + +Egon had only known the lady at whose side he now walked in that cool, +haughty composure which had made her so unapproachable to him and the +world. Now this coldness had disappeared, and he saw and felt but could +not decipher the strange change which had taken its place. + +The young widow could not possibly mourn so deeply and seriously for a +husband who was so far removed from her in age, and who, even had he +been young, could never have given her the love youth demands, with his +practical, coldly calculating nature. And yet there lay over her whole +appearance the expression of secret suffering--of a sorrow which was +mutely but painfully borne. + +Where did this mysterious line come from, this soft light of the eyes +which seemed to have learned but now to know tears? + +"It always seems to me as if life and fire could glow there and +transform the snow region into a blooming world," Prince Adelsberg had +once exclaimed in jest. Now this transformation had taken place, +slowly, almost imperceptibly. But this soft, half-painful expression +which replaced the former seriousness, this dreamy look, gave a charm +to the young woman which, with all her beauty, had been missing +before--a charming, gentle grace. + +At first the conversation touched upon indifferent things only, the +questions and answers that were customary and formal. Egon narrated +incidents of happenings during the winter at Court and in town, and +then offered the same explanation of his sudden arrival which he had +given the Chief Forester, speaking of the unendurable heat at Ostend +and of his longing for the cool, still forest solitude. + +A fleeting smile which quivered over the lips of his companion told him +that she believed this pretext as little as had the Chief Forester, and +that the notice in the papers had also been seen by her. He grew +unaccountably vexed about it and studied how he could remedy the +mistake, here where he could not be so plain-spoken, when Adelaide +suddenly asked: "Shall you remain alone at Rodeck, Your Highness? Last +summer you had a--guest with you." + +A shadow passed over the face of the young Prince. He forgot the rumor +of his engagement and his anger about it at this remark. + +"You mean Hartmut Rojanow?" he asked, gravely. "He will hardly come, as +he is in Sicily at present, or at least was there two months ago. I +have had no news from him since, and do not even know where to write +him." + +Frau von Wallmoden bent down and picked some flowers growing at the +wayside as she remarked: "I thought you were in lively correspondence +with each other." + +"I hoped so at the beginning of our separation, and it is not my fault; +but Hartmut has become a perfect mystery to me lately. You were witness +of the brilliant success of his 'Arivana' at our Court Theatre; it has +since then been reproduced at several other theatres. The play is +conquering by storm wherever it appears, and the author withdraws from +all these triumphs--almost flees from his rising fame--hides from all +the world, even from me. Let who can comprehend it!" + +Adelaide had regained her former erect carriage, but the hand which +held the flowers trembled slightly, while her eyes were directed upon +the Prince in breathless expectancy. + +"And when did Herr Rojanow leave Germany?" she asked. + +"At the beginning of December. Shortly before that he had gone to +Rodeck for a few days immediately after the first appearance of his +drama. I considered it a caprice and yielded. Then he suddenly returned +to my house, in town, in a condition of mind and body which really +frightened me, and announced his departure; listened to no entreaties, +answered no questions, but remained firm about going, and really left +like a whirlwind. Weeks passed before I heard of him; then he sent me +occasional letters, which, if rare enough, at least kept me aware of +his whereabouts, and I could answer him. He went to Greece, where he +strayed now here, now there. After that he went to Sicily, but now all +information has stopped, and I am in the greatest alarm." + +Egon spoke with suppressed excitement. One could see how deeply the +separation from his passionately loved friend hurt him. He did not +dream that the young widow at his side could have given him an +explanation of the mystery. She knew what drove Hartmut to wander +restlessly from land to land; what made him shudder before the famous +poet's name which bore that secret but awful stain. But it was the +first news she had heard of him since that disastrous night at Rodeck, +which had discovered everything to her. + +"Poets are sometimes differently constituted from common mortals," she +said, slowly plucking to pieces one of her flowers. "They have the +right sometimes to be incomprehensible." + +The Prince shook his head, incredulously and sadly. + +"No, it is not that; this comes from an entirely different source. I +felt long ago that something dark--mysterious--lay in Hartmut's life, +but I never inquired into it, for he would not suffer the slightest +touch on this point, and he kept silent persistently. It is as if he +stands under a doom, which gives him no peace or rest anywhere, and +which springs upon him suddenly when one thinks it buried and +forgotten. I received this impression anew when he took leave of me in +wild agitation; it was impossible to hold him. But you cannot imagine +how I miss him! He has spoiled me with his presence for over two years +and with all the advantages of his rich, fiery nature which he gave +lavishly. Now everything has become desolate and colorless to me, and I +do not know at times how I can bear life without him." + +They came to a standstill, for they had reached the limit of the park. +Green meadows lay before them in the sunlight, and over yonder rose the +heights of the forest mountains. Adelaide had listened in silence, +while her gaze was lost in the far distance; but now she turned +suddenly and stretched out her hand to her companion. + +"I believe you can be a very sacrificing friend, Your Highness. Herr +Rojanow ought not to have left you; perhaps you could have saved him +from this--doom." + +Egon could not believe his senses; the warmth of the heartfelt +tone--the eyes in which a tear glimmered--the whole, almost passionate, +sympathy with his sorrow surprised as much as it delighted him. He +grasped the hand fervently and pressed his lips upon it. + +"If anything can console me for Hartmut's departure, it is your +sympathy!" he cried. "You will permit me to use the privilege of a +neighbor and come occasionally to Ostwalden? Do not deny me this, as I +am so lonely at Rodeck, and I came here only and solely----" + +He checked himself suddenly, for he felt that such a confession was not +appropriate but an offense, as he saw plainly. + +The young widow withdrew her hand quickly and drew back. It had +required only this moment to transform her again into "Aurora." + +"To flee from the heat and noise of a watering place like Ostend," she +finished coolly. "You said so, at least, a little while ago, Your +Highness." + +"It was a pretext," declared the Prince, gravely. "I left Ostend only +to put an end to certain rumors which were connected with my stay +there, and which even found their way into the papers. They were +positively without foundation so far as I am concerned, I give you my +word, Your Excellency." + +He had quickly embraced the opportunity to dispel the error which he +did not wish to suffer at this place at any price, but the result did +not come up to his expectation. Frau von Wallmoden had again wrapped +herself up in her old, unapproachable manner and made him suffer for +his premature haste. + +"Why this solemn explanation, Your Highness? As it was only a rumor, I +understand just as fully as your other neighbors that you wish to +retain the privilege of choice. But I believe we must return to the +castle, as you said that my brother-in-law had come with you, and I +should like to see him before he leaves." + +Egon bowed assent, and tried obediently to accept the indifferent and +every-day tone by which he was made aware that he should not be +anything more here than a "neighbor." He took the first favorable +moment at the castle to make his excuses, which were immediately +accepted, but not without an invitation to come again had been given, +and that was at present the most important thing. + +"Blamed haste!" he muttered as he galloped away. "Now I shall be kept +as distant as ever, perhaps for weeks. As soon as one tries to approach +the woman a little nearer--the ice stares into one's face. But"--and +here the face of the Prince lit up--"but at last the ice commences to +melt. I saw and felt it in that tone and look. I must be patient +here--the prize is worthy one's perseverance." + +Egon von Adelsberg did not dream that this look and tone, upon which he +built his hopes, were for another, and that she wished only to hear +from that other when the permission to call again had been given. + + + + + CHAPTER XLVI. + + +July had only half gone when the world, which seemed but now to repose +in deepest calm, was suddenly startled from this peace. A lightning had +flamed up on the Rhine, the glare and uncanny light of which reached +from ocean to the Alps. A war-cloud stood heavy and threatening in the +west, and soon the cry of war resounded through the land. + +It broke over Southern Germany like a whirlwind--tore men from their +field of action, changed all conditions and overthrew all plans. Where +a week ago comfort and security reigned, men were now grasped and +carried away by storm. + +At Furstenstein the daughter of the house was celebrating her +betrothal, but she had to take leave of her betrothed, who hastened to +his regiment. + +At Waldhofen, where Willibald was expected for a long visit, he +appeared suddenly in stormy haste to see Marietta once more in the few +days which remained before he, too, should be called away. + +At Ostwalden, Adelaide prepared for departure, to once more embrace the +brother who had hastened to join the standard. + +Prince Adelsberg had left Rodeck at the first news of war, and hurried +to the Residenz, which he reached at the same hour as the Duke. The +world seemed all at once to have gotten an entirely changed face, and +the people with it. + +In the little garden of Dr. Volkmar's house stood Willibald von +Eschenhagen, talking earnestly and impressively with the grandfather of +his fiancee, who sat before him upon a bench, and did not seem to be +acquiescent to what Willy was explaining. + +"But, my dear Willy, this is precipitation without an equal," the good +doctor said, shaking his head. "Your engagement with Marietta has not +yet been made public, and now you want to be married heels over head. +What will the world say to it?" + +"The world finds everything explained under the present circumstances," +returned Willibald; "and we cannot go after outside considerations. I +have to go to war, and it is my duty to secure Marietta's future in any +case. I cannot bear the thought that she should have to return to the +stage after my death, or should be dependent upon my mother's mercy. +The fortune to which I am heir is in my mother's hands, who disposes of +it exclusively. I possess as yet only the entailed estates which, in +case I die, go over to a side branch of the family; but our family law +secures the widow of the lord of the estates a rich dowry. If it should +not be granted me to return from battle, I want to give my fiancee at +least the name and position in life to which she has a right. I cannot +go to the war contentedly until this has been arranged first." + +He spoke quietly, but with much decision. The awkward, timid Willibald +could not be recognized in this young man, who overlooked the situation +so clearly and pleaded so earnestly for his wishes to be granted. + +He had had, however, a school of independence in those last six months, +when he had been put entirely upon his own resources, and had his +firmness continually tried in the contest with his mother; and one +could see that he had learned something in this school. + +His outward appearance was also more prepossessing; in fact, as the +Chief Forester expressed it, he had only now become a man. + +Dr. Volkmar could not resist these arguments. He well knew that if the +war took away her betrothed, Marietta would again be without means and +without protection; and a burden fell from his heart at the thought of +her secure future. Therefore he gave up all argument and only asked: +"What does Marietta say to it? Has she given her consent?" + +"Yes; we decided on it last night, directly after my arrival. Of +course, I did not speak to her about security and widowhood, for she +would have been beside herself if I had dwelt at length upon the case +of my death; but I told her that in case of my being wounded, she, as +my wife, could hasten to me without preliminaries or companions, and +could remain with me, and this decided her. We should have had but a +quiet wedding, anyway." + +His face clouded at the last words, and the doctor said, with a sigh: +"Yes, indeed, none of us would have been inclined to celebrate the +wedding with festivities if the couple had to go to the altar without +the blessing of the mother. Have you really tried every way with her, +Willy?" + +"Everything," replied the young lord, solemnly. "Do you think it will +be easy for me to miss my mother on such a day? But she has left me no +choice, therefore I must bear it. I shall now take the necessary steps +instantly, and in anticipation thereof have brought my papers with me." + +"And do you believe that a marriage can be possible on such short +notice?" asked the doctor, doubtfully. + +"At this time, yes. The formalities have been reduced to the +necessities, and all preliminaries are dispensed with where a hasty +marriage is desired. As soon as Marietta is my wife, she will accompany +me to Berlin, where she will remain until my regiment leaves. Then she +will return to you until the close of the war." + +Volkmar arose and gave Willibald his hand. + +"You are right; it is perhaps best so under the present circumstances. +Well, my little _singvogel_, so you will really marry as quickly as +your betrothed wishes?" + +The question was addressed to Marietta, who now entered the garden. Her +pale cheeks showed the trace of tears, but it was with an exceedingly +happy look that she flew into Willibald's open arms. + +"I am ready at any time, grandpapa," she said, simply. "The +leave-taking will be easier to us after we belong to each other and you +give your blessing." + +The old gentleman looked half sadly, half happily upon the young +couple, who wished to be united before their sad separation should so +quickly take place. Then he said, with emotion: "Well, so be it: marry +then with my blessing. I give it to you from my inmost heart." + +Everything necessary was then quickly discussed. The marriage was to +take place as soon as possible, and, of course, quietly and simply. +Willibald intended to go to Furstenstein to-day to notify the Chief +Forester of the settled plan. + +Dr. Volkmar left them to make a call upon a patient, and Willibald +remained alone with his fiancee. They had not seen each other for so +long, and now the future lay dark and threatening before them. But the +next few days belonged to them, and they were happy in this thought, in +spite of everything. + + + + + CHAPTER XLVII. + + +Engaged in their subdued chatting, they did not notice that the house +door was opened, and some one came with slow, rather hesitating steps +along the hall, until the rustle of a woman's dress upon the gravel +path made them listen, and suddenly both sprang to their feet. + +"My mother!" cried Willibald, in joyful surprise; but at the same time +he put his arm around Marietta as if he wished to protect her from a +renewed attack, for Frau von Eschenhagen's face seemed hard and gloomy, +and her bearing did not look like reconciliation. + +Without noticing the young girl, she turned to her son: + +"I learned through Adelaide that you were here," she began in a rather +harsh tone, "and I only wanted to ask how everything is at Burgsdorf. +Have you looked for a steward during your absence? One does not know +how long the war will last?" + +The joyous expression on the face of the young lord vanished. He had +really hoped for a different greeting at this unexpected appearance of +his mother. + +"I have arranged everything to the best of my ability," he replied. +"The greater part of my people have been called to enlist; even the +inspector has to leave in a few days, and a substitute cannot be had +now. Work must therefore be reduced to the necessities, and old Martens +will overlook everything." + +"Martens is a goose," said Regine, in her old, terse way. "If he takes +the reins, everything at Burgsdorf will go topsy-turvy. Nothing else is +left for me to do but to go there myself and look after things right." + +"How? You would?" cried Willibald. But his mother cut him short. + +"Do you think I would let your possessions go to nothing while you are +in the war? It will be securely cared for in my hands--you know that. I +have held the reins there long enough and will do it again--until you +return." + +She still spoke in the hard, cold tones, as if she wished to exclude +every warmer feeling. But now Willy stepped up to her, with his arm +still around his bride-elect. + +"You will take care of my worldly possessions, mamma," he said, +reproachfully; "you will take them under your protection. But for the +best and dearest thing that belongs to me you have no word nor look. +Have you really only come to tell me that you will go to Burgsdorf?" + +Fran von Eschenhagen's harsh reticence could not hold fast at this +question. Her lips trembled. + +"I came to see my only son once more before he goes to war--perhaps to +death," she said, with painful bitterness. "I had to hear from others +that he had come to say farewell to his bride. He did not come to his +mother, and that--that I could not bear." + +"We should have come," cried the young lord; "we should have made one +more attempt to win your heart before leaving. See, mother, here is my +bride-elect--my Marietta. She is waiting for a friendly word from you." + +Regine threw a long look upon the young couple, and again her face +quivered painfully as she saw how Marietta pressed shyly, but +confidently, to the man in whose protection she knew herself so secure. +Maternal jealousy stood a last, hard struggle; but finally she allowed +herself to be conquered. She stretched out her hand to the young girl. + +"I offended you once, Marietta," she said, in a half-stifled voice, +"and did you a possible wrong that time; but for that you have taken +from me my boy, who, until then, had not loved anybody but his mother, +and who now loves nobody but you. I believe we are quits." + +"Oh, Willy loves his mother as dearly as ever," Marietta said heartily. +"I best know how he has suffered under the separation." + +"So? Well, we will have to agree with each other for his sake," said +Regine, with an attempt at playfulness, which did not quite succeed. +"We shall be in a great deal of anxiety about him soon, when we know +him in the battlefield; care, anxiety, will be plentiful then. What do +you think, my child? I believe we could bear it easier if we worry +about him together." + +She opened her arms, and the next second Marietta lay sobbing upon her +breast. Tears glittered also in the eyes of the mother when she bent +down to kiss her future daughter-in-law; but then she said in the old, +commanding tone: "Do not cry; hold up your head, Marietta, for a +soldier's fiancee must be brave--remember that." + +"A soldier's wife," corrected Willibald, who stood by with beaming +eyes. "We have just now decided to be married before I leave." + +"Well, then, Marietta really belongs to Burgsdorf," declared Regine, +who was hardly surprised, and seemed to find this decision quite in +order. "No arguments, child. The young Frau von Eschenhagen has nothing +to do further at Waldhofen, except as she comes for a visit to her +grandfather. Or are you perhaps afraid of your grim mother-in-law? But +I believe you have in him"--she pointed to her son--"a sufficient +protection, even if he is not at home. He would be capable of declaring +war upon his own mother if she did not bear his little wife upon her +hands." + +"And she will do that, I know it. When my mother opens her heart, she +does it perfectly." + +"Yes, now you can flatter," Frau von Eschenhagen said, with a rebuking +glance. "So you go with me to your future home, Marietta. You need not +worry about the duties; I will attend to that. When I go away again it +will be different; but I see already that Willy will hold you like a +princess all your life long. It is right with me, just so he returns to +us safe and sound." + +She reached out her hands now to her son, and those two had perhaps +never been in a closer or more loving embrace than to-day. + +When the three entered the house, a quarter of an hour later, they met +the Chief Forester, who actually started back at the sight of his +sister-in-law. Regine marked his surprise with the liveliest +satisfaction. + +"Well, Moritz, am I still the most unreasonable, obstinate person?" she +asked, offering her hand. But Schonan, who had not recovered from his +jilting, kept his behind him, and muttered something incomprehensible. +Then he turned to the young couple: + +"So? And now you are to be married in hot haste. I met Dr. Volkmar just +now and he told me about it; so I came to offer myself as best man. But +perhaps that will not be acceptable, since the Frau Mamma is at her +post." + +"Oh, you are just as cordially welcome, uncle," cried Willibald. + +"Well, yes, I can just be used as a secondary person in a marriage," +grumbled the Chief Forester, with a reproachful glance at Regine. "And +so there will be a marriage before the war? One must say, Willy, you +have marched with seven-league boots from your practical Burgsdorf into +romance, and I should never have looked for it in you. However, my Toni +is just as intent upon romance. She and Waldorf would have liked best +to marry like this in steaming haste before marching orders came, but I +have vetoed that, for circumstances are different with us, and I do not +care to already sit at home, lonely as an owl." + +He glanced again with the very grimmest expression at Frau von +Eschenhagen, but she approached him now, and said, cordially: "Do not +bear malice, Moritz. So far we have always made up again. Let us forget +this quarrel also. You see, at least, that I can say 'Yes' for once, +when the whole happiness of my boy depends upon it." + +The Chief Forester hesitated a moment longer, then grasped the offered +hand and pressed it cordially. "I see it," he acknowledged, "and +perhaps you will now forget altogether that blamed 'No,' Regine, about +another point." + + + + + CHAPTER XLVIII. + + +The Steward of Rodeck stood in the study of Prince Adelsberg's palace, +in the Residenz. He had been called there to receive various orders and +plans before the departure of his young lord. + +Egon, who already wore the uniform of his regiment, had given him +verbal instructions, and now dismissed the old man. + +"Keep the old forest nook in good order for me as heretofore," he +concluded. "It is just possible that I may go to Rodeck for a few hours +before I leave, but I hardly believe so, for the order to march may +come any day. How do I please you in my uniform?" + +He arose and drew himself up to his full height. The slender, youthful +form looked well in the uniform of a lieutenant, and Stadinger measured +him with admiring eyes. + +"Real splendid!" he assured the Prince. "It is a pity that Your +Highness is not a soldier by profession." + +"Do you think so? Well, I am one now, body and soul. Service in the +field will come rather hard to me, and I will have to get used to it +first. But it does not hurt when one is under strict discipline." + +"No, Your Highness, it will not hurt you at all," remarked Stadinger, +with his terrible truthfulness. "When Your Highness travels about for +years in the Orient with a great sea serpent and a whole herd of +elephants, or when you run away from the most gracious Court at Ostend +because you do not want to marry at all--nothing comes of that but +only----" + +"But only stupidity," completed the Prince, wisely. "Stadinger, I shall +severely miss one thing in the campaign--your boundless tiresomeness. +You want to give me a last curtain lecture--I see it in your face--but +will spare you the trouble. Remember me rather to Lena when you get +home. Is she back at Rodeck now?" + +"Yes, Your Highness, _now_ she is there," said the old man, with heavy +emphasis. + +"Of course, because I march to France. But be content; I shall return a +genuine model of sense and virtue, and then--then I shall marry, too." + +"Really?" Stadinger cried in joyful surprise. "How glad the most +gracious Court will be." + +"That depends," teased Egon. "I may terrorize the most gracious Court +with my engagement, and perhaps inflict cramps upon my most gracious +Aunt Sophie with it. Don't look so stupid at this, Stadinger. You don't +understand it, but I will permit you to crack your head over it +during the campaign. But now go, and if we should not see each other +again--keep your master in pleasant remembrance." + +Stadinger's face took on the grimmest of wrinkles to hide the upwelling +tears, but he could not succeed. + +"How can Your Highness talk like that?" he muttered. "Shall I, an old +man, remain perhaps alone in this world, and not see you any more--so +handsome so young and happy! I could not live at that." + +"And I have vexed you so much, old Waldgeist," said the young Prince, +giving him his hand; "but you are right--we must think of victory and +not death. But, when both come together, then death is easy." + +The old man bent over his master's hand, and a tear fell upon it. + +"I wish I could go, too," he said, under his breath. + +"I believe it," laughed Egon; "and you would not look bad as a soldier, +in spite of your snow-white hair. But we younger ones have to march +now, and you old ones remain at home. Farewell, Stadinger----" He shook +his hand cordially. "I really believe you are crying. You ought to be +ashamed of yourself. Away with tears and sad anticipations. You will +yet read me another lecture." + +"May God grant it!" sighed Peter Stadinger, from the depths of his +heart. With wet eyes he looked once more into the youthful face, so +full of life, smiling at him, so happy and sure of victory. Then he +left sadly, with bowed head, realizing how much his young master had +grown into his heart. + +The Prince cast a glance at the clock. He was to go to his superior, +but saw that he had almost an hour yet, so he reached for the +newspapers and plunged into the newest dispatches and reports. + +A rapid footstep sounded in the ante-room. Egon looked up in surprise. +Servants were not in the habit of making such a noise, and callers were +always announced. But this caller did not need any announcing, as all +the servants knew. All doors were open to him in the house of Prince +Adelsberg. + +"Hartmut, is it you?" + +Egon sprang to his feet in joyful surprise, and cast himself on the +breast of the newcomer. + +"You back in Germany, and I have no idea of it! You wicked monster, to +leave me for fully two months without news of you! Have you come to say +good-by to me?" + +Hartmut had neither returned the greeting nor the stormy embrace. +Silently and gloomily he suffered both, and when he spoke at last, even +his tone betrayed nothing of the joy of this _Wiedersehen_. + +"I came straight from the depot. I hardly dared hope to find you still +here, and yet everything depends upon it for me." + +"But why did you not announce your return to me? I wrote you +immediately after the declaration of war. You were still in Sicily +then, were you not?" + +"No; I left there as soon as war seemed unavoidable, and did not +receive your letter. I have been in Germany a week." + +"And you come to me only now?" said Egon, reproachfully. + +Rojanow did not notice this reproach. His eyes rested upon his friend's +uniform with almost a jealous expression. + +"You are already on duty, I see," he said, hastily. "I also intend to +enter the German army." + +Egon evidently expected something entirely different. He retreated a +step in boundless surprise. + +"In the German army? You--a Roumanian?" + +"Yes, and therefore I have come to you. Will you make it possible for +me?" + +"I?" asked the Prince, whose surprise grew greater and greater. "I am +nothing more than a young officer. If you are really in earnest in this +strange resolve, you must go to one of the standing posts of command." + +"I have already done that at various places. I have tried it even in +your neighboring state, but they will not accept the stranger. They +demand all sorts of papers and references, which I do not possess, and +torture me with endless questions. Everywhere suspicion and mistrust +affront me. Nobody will understand my resolve." + +"To speak the truth, Hartmut, I don't understand it, either," said +Egon, solemnly. "You have always showed such a deep antipathy to +Germany--you are the son of a country whose higher circles know only +French education and customs--which stands in sympathy exclusively with +France. The mistrust of strangers is easily understood. But why do you +not turn directly to the Duke, and personally accomplish your desires? +You know how prepossessed he is with the poet of 'Arivana.' It will +cost you only an audience, which will be granted you at any time, and +an order from him will remove every difficulty and admit every +exception." + +Rojanow's glance fell, and his clouded brow grew darker as he replied: +"I know that, but I cannot ask anything from that side. The Duke would +put the same questions as all the rest, and I could not withhold the +answer from him, and the truth--I cannot tell it to him." + +"Not even to me?" asked the Prince, stepping up to him and laying his +hand on Hartmut's shoulder. "Why do you insist so persistently upon +entering our army? What do you look for under our colors?" + +Hartmut passed his hand across his brow, as if to wipe something away +from there. Then he replied, heavily and huskily: + +"Salvation--or death." + +"You return as you went--a puzzle," said Egon, shaking his head. "You +have hitherto refused every explanation. Can I not now learn your +secret?" + +"Obtain me an entrance into your army, and I will tell you everything," +Rojanow cried in feverish excitement. "No matter under what conditions, +only see that it is granted me. But do not speak to the Duke nor to a +general, but turn to one of the lower commanders. Your name, your +relationship with the reigning house makes your word powerful. They +will not answer Prince Adelsberg with a 'No' when he himself speaks for +a volunteer." + +"But the same question will be put to him as to you--you, a Roumanian." + +"No, no," cried Hartmut, passionately. "If I must confess it to you--I +am a German." + +The effect of this disclosure was not as great as Hartmut might have +feared. The Prince looked at him for a moment, amazed. + +"I have thought so at times, for the one who could compose an Arivana +in the German language did not get this language by education, but had +grown up with it. But you bear the name Rojanow----" + +"The name of my mother, who belonged to a Roumanian--Bojar's family. My +name is--Hartmut von Falkenried." + +His own name sounded strange in his ears, for he had not pronounced it +for years; but Egon grew attentive at the name. + +"Falkenried? That was the name of the Prussian Colonel who came on that +secret mission from Berlin. Are you any connection of his?" + +"He is my father." + +The young Prince looked compassionately upon his friend, for he saw how +terribly hard this confession came to him. He felt that a family drama +was hidden here, and, too delicate to investigate further, he only +asked: "And you do not want to proclaim yourself the son of your +father, not a Falkenried? Every Prussian regiment would be open to you +then." + +"No, they would be closed to me forever. I fled from the cadets' school +ten years ago." + +"Hartmut!" Absolute terror was in the exclamation. + +"Do you also, like my father, consider me worthy of death for it? You, +of course, have grown up in freedom and have no conception of the iron +rule which reigns in these institutions; of the tyranny with which one +is bent under the yoke of blind obedience. I could not stand it. I was +forced to freedom and light. I begged--entreated my father--but in +vain. He held me fast in the chain--when I broke it, and fled with my +mother." + +He uttered this, all with wild, desperate defiance; but his eyes rested +anxiously upon the face of his listener. His father, with his severe +ideas of honor, had sentenced him; but his friend, who idolized him, +who in passionate enthusiasm admired his genius and all that he did--he +_must_ understand the necessity of his step. But this friend was +silent, and in this silence lay the sentence. + + + + + CHAPTER XLIX. + + +"You too, Egon?" + +In the tone of the questioner who waited several minutes in vain for an +answer, there lay deep bitterness. "And you too, Egon, who have so +often told me that nothing should hamper the flight of the poet; that +he must break the fetters which would hold him to the ground. I did +that--and you would have done the same." + +The Prince drew himself up with the firmness of decision. + +"No, Hartmut; you are mistaken there. Perhaps I should have fled from a +strict school, but from the colors--never!" + +Here it was again--the harsh words which he had already heard once +before--"fled from the colors." It forced the blood to his brow again. + +"Why did you not become an officer?" continued Egon. "You could +have become one early at your home; you could have taken your leave +then at an age when life only commences. Then you would have been +free--honorably." + +Hartmut was silent. His father had told him the same, but he had not +wanted to wait and submit himself to rules. A barrier had stood in his +way, and he simply threw it down unconcernedly. But he threw down duty +and honor with it. + +"You do not know all that stormed upon me at that time," he replied, +heavily. "My mother--I do not wish to accuse her--but she has been my +doom. My father had separated from her in early life. I thought her +dead, when suddenly she entered my life and snatched me to her with her +burning mother love--with her promise of freedom and happiness. She +alone is responsible for that unfortunate breaking of my word----" + +"What word?" interrupted Egon, excitedly. "Had you sworn to the +standard?" + +"No, but I had given my father my word to return when he allowed me the +last conversation with my mother----" + +"Instead of which you fled with her?" + +"Yes." + +The answer was almost inaudible and was followed by a long pause. The +Prince spoke never a word; but in his open, sunny face deep, bitter +pain was depicted--the bitterest of his life, for at this moment he +lost his so passionately loved friend. + +At last Hartmut resumed, but he did not raise his eyes. "You understand +now why I want to force an entrance into the army at any price. Now +that war has broken out, the man can atone for the boy's sin. Therefore +I left Sicily immediately after the first threatening news, and flew as +in a storm to Germany. I hoped to be able to hasten to arms. I had no +idea of all the difficulties and hindrances which would be put in my +way. But you can put them aside, if you intercede for me." + +"No, I cannot do that," said Egon, coldly. "After what I have heard +just now, this is impossible." + +Hartmut turned deathly white and stepped up close to Egon with a +vehement gesture. + +"You cannot? That means--you will not?" + +The Prince was silent. + +"Egon!" Wild, stormy entreaty was in the tone. "You know I have never +made a request of you--this is the first and last one. But now I +beg--entreat you for this friendly service. It is the relief from the +doom which has hung over me since that hour. The reconciliation with my +father--the reconciliation with myself--you must help me!" + +"I cannot," repeated the Prince. "The rejection to which you have been +subjected may hurt you deeply--I believe it--but it is only just. You +have broken with your fatherland--with your duties--and that cannot be +mended so easily without anything further, when one has become of a +different opinion. You fled from the service of our standard--you, the +son of an officer! Now the army is closed to you, and you must bear +it." + +"And you tell me that so calmly--so coldly!" cried Hartmut, beside +himself. "Do you not see that it is a question of life or death to me? +I saw my father again that day at Rodeck, when he hastened to the +deathbed of Wallmoden. He crushed me with his contempt--with the awful +words he threw into my face. It was that which drove me away from +Germany, which chased me ceaselessly from place to place. His words +went with me and made life a hell to me. I have greeted the war cry as +a deliverance. I want to fight for the fatherland which I once cast +from me, and now the door which is open to every one is closed to me +alone. Egon, you turn from me! Oh--there is only one way left for me!" + +With a sudden, passionate motion he turned to the table, where the +Prince's pistols were lying; but the Prince sprang at him and tore him +back. + +"Hartmut, are you out of your senses?" + +"Perhaps I shall be so. All of you torture me beyond endurance." + +Boundless despair lay in those words. + +Egon, too, had turned pale, and his voice trembled as he said: "Before +it goes so far--I will try to find an opening in a regiment for you." + +"At last! I thank you." + +"However, I cannot promise you anything, for the Duke has to be put +altogether aside now. Besides, he leaves to-morrow for the battlefield. +Should he learn later on that you serve in his corps, we shall then be +in the midst of the storm of war, and one does not ask 'How' and 'Why' +in the face of a completed fact. But it may take days before the +decision arrives. Will you be my guest?" + +Formerly the Prince would have accepted that as only natural and would +have been exasperated if his friend had refused; now he made the +inquiry, and Hartmut felt what lay in the cold question. + +"No, I shall not remain in town," he replied. "I shall go to the +Forester at Rodeck, and I beg that you will send your answer there. I +can return here in a few hours." + +"As you wish. Then you will not go to the castle?" + +Hartmut gazed at him with a long, sad look. + +"No; to the Forester's. Farewell, Egon." + +"Farewell." + +They parted without a pressure of the hand, without a further word, and +when the door closed behind him, Hartmut knew that he had lost the +friend who had idolized him. Judged here, too--and cast out! He had to +atone terribly for the old guilt. + + + + + CHAPTER L. + + +Over the Wald hung a dark, cloudy sky, which, from time to time, sent +down showers of rain. Gray mists clung around the heights, and storms +raged through the crowns of the trees. It was a regular autumn day in +the middle of summer. + +The mistress of Ostwalden was alone at her castle. She had received +news from her brother that he had already left, and that the meeting +planned between them could not take place. Therefore Adelaide had +postponed her departure to be present at the marriage of Willibald and +Marietta, which was quietly celebrated in the presence of the nearest +relatives. + +The young couple had left for Berlin, where Willibald was to join his +regiment immediately. His young wife wished to remain near him the few +days before the order came to march. From there she was to go to +Burgsdorf, whither her mother-in-law had preceded her. + +The morning hours had not yet passed when Prince Adelsberg drove up to +the castle of Ostwalden. He had asked for leave of absence to-day to +"arrange some important matters"; but the important matters did not +carry him to Rodeck, but to Ostwalden. He came to say farewell to +Adelaide, whom he had not seen since that first visit. + +As his carriage entered the castle yard, they met the priest of the +neighboring village with the holy sacrament, and attendant chorister. +Apparently the last rites had been administered to one seriously ill. +The Prince inquired to whom the sad visit had been paid, and learned +that it was to one of the inspectors of the estate, and that the +mistress of the castle was at present with the dying man; but the guest +should be announced to her instantly. + +Egon restlessly paced up and down the reception room, into which he had +been shown. He had come here to obtain an assurance, without which he +did not feel able to march into a campaign of life or death; and the +uncertainty with which such a campaign was ever taken, must serve as +apology for thus approaching a young widow still in deep mourning. It +need not yet be a proposal. He wanted to take with him only a hope the +promise of which had risen so brightly at their last meeting, when +Adelaide had shown such warm interest in his sorrow about his absent +friend. He did not dream that he had made a fatal mistake. Still, in +spite of this, a deep shadow rested upon the face of the Prince, +usually so cheerful. It was not the leave-taking which gave him pain, +for he went to the battlefield with glowing enthusiasm and the happy +faith of youth, which dreams only of victory, and rejects all dark +prospects. Besides, he dreamed of another happiness in the future, +which he wished to secure now. + +The door opened to admit Frau von Wallmoden. + +"I beg your pardon for detaining you so long, Your Highness," she said, +after the first greetings. "It was probably told you that I was beside +a deathbed?" + +"I learned so upon my arrival," replied Egon, who had hastened to meet +her. "Is the case really so serious?" + +"Alas, yes! poor Tanner! He used to be tutor in a family in the +neighborhood, but had to give up his position on account of a serious +illness. At the request of the Chief Forester, I gave him employment in +cataloguing my husband's library, which had been sent to Ostwalden, and +it was hoped that he would quite recover in the easy office and the +invigorating forest air. He was so grateful for it, and told me only +yesterday how happy his mother was that he should be excused from +military service, on account of not being yet quite well. But suddenly +this morning he had a hemorrhage, and the physician tells me that he +can live but an hour longer. It is awful to see a young life bleed to +death like that!" + +"And yet this will happen to thousands in the next few weeks," said +Egon, gravely. "Have you been with the poor man?" + +"Yes, at his request. He knew how it was with him, and wished to lay a +prayer upon my heart for his old mother, who loses in him her only +support. I have calmed his mind on that subject, but it was all I could +do for him----" + +One could see how deeply the scene at the deathbed had impressed the +young widow, and Egon, too, felt deep compassion at the narrative. + +"I come to say farewell," he said, after a short pause. "We march the +day after to-morrow, and I could not deny myself a visit to you once +more. I am happy to have found you here, as I understand you intend +leaving soon." + +"Yes, for Berlin. Lonely Ostwalden is so far remote, and in this time +of feverish expectation one wishes to be as near the centre of +communications and connections as possible. I am anxious about my +brother, who has joined the standard." + +Again a pause ensued, and the Prince was about to break it with +expression of what lay so near his heart, when Frau von Wallmoden +anticipated him with a question, asked with apparent indifference, but +in a voice which trembled slightly: + +"You were in much anxiety about the non-arrival of news of your friend +at your last visit, Your Highness. Have you heard from him yet?" + +Egon's eyes fell, and the shadow which had been dispelled during the +conversation returned, heavily and gloomily, to his face. + +"Yes," he replied, coldly. "Rojanow is back in Germany." + +"Since the declaration of war?" + +"Yes, he came----" + +"To join the army! Oh, I knew it!" + +The Prince looked at her amazed. + +"You knew it, Your Excellency? I thought you had known Hartmut as a +Roumanian only, and through me." + +A deep blush suffused the cheeks of the young Frau von Wallmoden. She +felt the exclamation had been a betrayal, but she quickly regained +composure. "I became acquainted with Herr Rojanow last fall, when he +was your guest at Rodeck," she answered, composedly; "but I have known +his father for long years, and he---- I suppose your Highness knows all +that has happened?" + +"Yes, I know it now," said Egon, with heavy emphasis. + +"Colonel Falkenried was a near friend of my father's and visited our +house frequently, although I had never heard of his son. I had +considered the Colonel childless until that awful hour at Rodeck, the +day my husband died. Then I learned the truth, and was a witness of a +meeting between father and son." + +The Prince breathed a sigh of relief at this explanation, which +dispelled the disastrous thought just dawning upon him. + +"I understand your concern, then," he replied. "Colonel Falkenried is, +indeed, to be pitied." + +"He only?" asked Adelaide, struck by the harsh tone of the last words. +"And your friend?" + +"I have no friend--I have lost him!" cried Egon, with passionate pain. +"What he confessed to me two days ago opened an abyss between us, and +what I know now parts us forever." + +"You judge the misdemeanor of a seventeen-year-old lad very severely. +He must have been only a boy then." + +A deep reproach lay in the words of the young widow; but the Prince +shook his head vehemently. + +"I do not speak of that flight and that breaking of his word, although +they weigh heavily with the son of an officer. But what I heard +yesterday--I see you do not yet know the worst, gracious lady, and how +should you? Spare me this report." + +Adelaide had turned pale, and her eyes, full of fear, hung fixed upon +the speaker. + + + + + CHAPTER LI. + + +"I beg of Your Highness," Adelaide commenced again, "to tell me the +truth--the whole truth. You said that Herr Rojanow had returned to join +the army. I had thought he would--had expected it--for it is the only +thing by which he can atone for his old guilt. Has he joined the +standard already?" + +"Happily it has not gone so far, and that has spared me a heavy +responsibility," said Egon, with supreme bitterness. "He reported to +several regiments, but was refused everywhere." + +"Refused! But why?" + +"Because he did not dare to confess himself a German, and because a +very just suspicion was raised toward the strange Roumanian. One has to +be cautious at the present time that no--spies may force their way into +the ranks of our armies." + +"For God's sake, what do you mean?" cried Adelaide, who began now to +comprehend the situation. + +Egon sprang up in great excitement and drew nearer. + +"If you wish, then, to know it, gracious lady--listen. Hartmut came to +me and requested me to use my influence to make the entrance into one +of our regiments possible to him. I refused at first, but he forced me +to consent by a threat which was hardly meant seriously. I kept my word +and asked one of our higher officers, whose brother was secretary to +our embassy at Paris and who had just returned from there with him. +This gentleman was present at our interview. He heard the name, +Rojanow--inquired further into the matter and gave me disclosures; I +cannot repeat them. I have loved Hartmut as I have nothing else upon +this earth--have almost idolized him. I let myself be carried away by +the force of his genius, and now I learn that the friend who was +everything to me is a monster; that he and his mother did service as +spies at Paris. Perhaps he wished to do the same in our army!" + +He covered his eyes with his hand, and there was something awful in the +agony of the young man whose idol had been so ruthlessly shattered. + +Adelaide had risen, and the hand with which she leaned upon the back of +the chair trembled. + +"And what have you--has he--answered to that?" + +"Do you mean Rojanow? I have not seen him since and shall not see him +again. I shall spare myself and him that much. He is now at the +forestry at Rodeck and awaits my answer there. I have notified him in +three lines of what I learned, without adding a remark or a word. He +has probably received the letter and will understand it sufficiently." + +"Good God! that will drive him to his death," Adelaide burst forth. +"How could you do it! How could you judge the unfortunate one without +hearing him!" + +"The unfortunate one!" repeated the Prince cuttingly. "Do you really +consider him that?" + +"Yes, for I do not hear these awful accusations for the first time. His +father cast them in his face at that meeting." + +"Well, if even his own father accuses him----" + +"The deeply offended, deeply embittered man! He cannot have an unbiased +judgment, but you--the friend of Hartmut--you, who stood so near +him--you ought to have stepped in and defended him." + +Egon looked with questioning surprise upon the excited lady. + +"You appear to wish to do so now, Your Excellency," he said slowly. "I +cannot do it, for there is too much in Hartmut's life which confirms +the suspicion. It explains everything to me that has hitherto seemed +mysterious. These are quite decided facts upon which the accusation is +based----" + +"Against the mother! She has ever been the doom--the ruin--of her son; +but he did not know the shameful work to which she had fallen; he lived +at her side ignorant of it. I saw how he broke down when his father +uttered the awful words--how he struggled against it as in a death +struggle. That was truth--that was the despair of a man who is being +punished more deeply than he has transgressed. That flight--that +breaking of his word--robs him now of the faith of those who stand +nearest to him. But if his father and his friend both so judge him--_I +believe in him!_ It is not true! He is not guilty!" + +She had drawn herself fully erect in her stormy excitement. Her cheeks +glowed; her eyes sparkled, and her tone and words contained that +convincing passion which only love knows when defending the loved one. + +Egon stood there transfixed and looked at her. There it was--the +awakening, of which he had often dreamed, Fire and life glowed there +now--a blooming world arose from the ice; but it was another who had +called it forth. + +"I do not dare to decide as to whether you are right, gracious lady," +said the Prince in a toneless voice, after a brief silence. "I only +know one thing. Whether Hartmut be guilty or not, he is enviable in +this hour." + +Adelaide shrank back; she understood the hint and lowered her head +mutely before the reproachful glance. + +"I came to say farewell," continued Egon. "I intended to add a +question--a prayer--to this leave-taking, but that is over now. I have +only to bid you farewell." + +Adelaide raised her eyes, in which hot tears glistened, and offered her +hand. + +"Farewell, and may God take you in His care and keeping during the +campaign!" + +But Prince Adelsberg shook his head silently. + +"What shall I do with life?" he finally cried in overwhelming sorrow. +"I should like best--no, do not look at me so entreatingly! I know now +that I made a fatal mistake, and I will not torture you with a +confession; but, Adelaide, I would gladly die could I buy with death +the look and tone you had just now for another. Farewell!" + +Once more he pressed her hand to his lips, then hastened away. + + + + + CHAPTER LII. + + +The storm had increased in violence during the afternoon. It roamed in +the forest, dashed among the open heights and chased the clouds over +the sky with increasing wrath. It raged with full force around that +forest height which had once witnessed such a significant encounter +between two people, but the man who leaned there now alone and lonely +at the trunk of a tree did not seem to feel it, for he stood immovable +in the midst of it. + +Hartmut's face was deathly pale; a stony, unnatural calm rested upon +it, and the sparkle of the eyes had died out, while the hair fell heavy +and damp over his brow. The storm had torn his hat from his head; he +had noticed it as little as the rain which drenched him. + +He had found himself at this place after hours of roaming through the +forest--here, where a remembrance drew him unconsciously. It was the +right place for his purpose. + +The news which had been looked for so feverishly had finally come; no +letter; nothing but a few lines without any preface, and with only the +signature, "Egon--Prince Adelsberg." But in these lines there lay +annihilation for him who received them. Cast out forever--judged by his +friend without a hearing! Doom had awfully fulfilled itself in the son +of Zalika. + +The crashing of a huge limb which broke under the pressure of the storm +and fell whizzing to the ground, aroused Hartmut from his despairing +revery. He had not even started at the crash, but slowly turned his +glance to the heavy mass which fell close to him. A foot nearer and it +would have struck him--would perhaps have made an end of all the shame +and torture in one moment; but death was not made so easy for him. That +blessing came to him only who loved life--he who wished to throw it +away must do so with his own hand. + +Hartmut took the gun from his shoulder and put the butt to the ground; +then he laid his hand upon his breast to find the right place. Once +more he glanced up to the veiled skies with their scudding masses of +clouds, and down to the little dark forest lake in the deceiving +meadow, over which the fog clustered as at that time at home. The +beckoning, charming will-o'-the-wisp had appeared to him there; he had +followed the flame of the depths, and now it drew him down hopelessly; +there was no further rising into the heights where other, brighter +lights shone. A bullet in the heart and everything would be at an end. + +He was about to grasp the trigger when he heard his name called in a +tone of deadly anxiety. A slender figure in a dark cloak sprang toward +him from the edge of the forest, and the weapon fell from his hand, for +he gazed into the face of Adelaide, who stood trembling before him. + +Moments passed without a word from either. It was Hartmut who recovered +first. + +"You here, gracious lady?" he asked with enforced calmness. "Are you +out in the forest in this weather?" + +"I should like to put the same question to you." + +"I have been hunting, but the weather is unpropitious, and I was about +to discharge my gun----" + +He did not finish, for the sad, reproachful glance upon him told that +the lie was in vain. He broke off and looked gloomily before him. +Adelaide, too, gave up all pretense, and in her voice all her anxiety +trembled as she cried: "Herr von Falkenried, what did you intend to +do?" + +"What would have now been done had you not interfered," said Hartmut, +harshly. "And believe me, gracious lady, it would have been better if +coincidence had brought you here a few moments later." + +"It was no coincidence. I was at the forestry at Rodeck, and heard that +you had been gone for hours. An awful presentiment drove me to look for +you here. I was almost sure I should find you here." + +"You looked for me? Me, Ada?" His voice shook at the question. "How did +you know that I was at the forestry?" + +"Through Prince Adelsberg, who called to see me this morning. You +received a letter from him?" + +"No, only a communication," returned Hartmut with quivering lips. "No +single word was directed to me personally in the short lines; they +brought only a communication in a business tone which the Prince +thought necessary. I fully understood it." + +Adelaide was silent; she had known it would drive him to suicide. +Slowly she walked with him under the protection of the trees, for it +was hardly possible to keep erect out in the open space in this raging +storm, but Hartmut did not seem to feel it. + +"You know the contents of the communication--I see that you do," he +commenced again, "and it is not new to you, either. You overheard what +happened that night at Rodeck, but believe me, Ada, what I felt at that +moment when you stood before me in that ghostly glow which shone +through that night, and it grew clear to me that I had been ground into +the dust before you--what I felt might have satisfied even my father's +vengeance, might have atoned for all my sin." + +"You do him wrong," replied the young widow solemnly. "You saw him only +in the stern, iron inflexibility with which he cast you from him. I saw +him differently after you had gone. He broke down there in wild +anguish; he then let me look into the heart of a despairing father who +loved his son above everything. Have you not made an attempt since then +to convince him?" + +"No; he would believe me as little as Egon does. He who has once broken +his word, has lost forever their faith, even if he would regain it with +his life. Perhaps my death upon the battlefield would have enlightened +them, but when I fall now by my own hand they will see in it only the +deed of a despairing man--a guilty one--and will despise me even in my +grave." + +"Not everybody will do that," said Adelaide lowly. "I believe in you, +Hartmut, in spite of everything." + +He looked at her, and through the gloomy hopelessness of his soul there +flamed something of the old fire. + +"You, Ada? And you tell me that upon this spot where you cast me off? +You did not know anything about me then----" + +"And for that reason I shuddered before the man to whom nothing was +sacred--who recognized no law but his will and his passions; but that +winter night, when I saw you at your father's feet, showed me that you +fell more through doom than guilt. Since then I have known that you can +and must cast that unfortunate inheritance from your mother far from +you. Rouse yourself, Hartmut. The road which I then showed you is still +open; whether it leads to life or death--it leads upward." + +He shook his head gloomily. + +"No, that is past. You have no conception of what my father has done to +me with his terrible words. What my life has been since then I--but let +me be silent about it; nobody can grasp it; but I thank you for your +faith in me, Ada. Death is made easier to me through that faith." + +The young widow made a quick motion toward the weapon which lay at his +feet. + +"For God's sake, no! You dare not do that!" + +"What am I to do with life?" Hartmut burst forth with terrible +vehemence. "My mother has branded me as with a red-hot iron, and this +closes to me every way to atonement--to salvation. I am cast out from +the ranks of my people, where even the poorest peasant can fight; a +privilege which is denied only to the dishonorable criminal, is denied +also to me, for I am nothing else in Egon's eyes. He fears that I might +become a traitor--a spy to my own brothers!" + +He covered his face with both hands, and the last words died in a sob; +then he felt a hand touch his arm gently. + +"The brand is extinguished with the name Rojanow. Throw that from you, +Hartmut; I bring you what you tried in vain to obtain--entrance into +the army!" + +Hartmut started and gazed at her in unbelief. + +"Impossible! How could you----" + +"Take these papers," interrupted Adelaide, drawing forth a package. +"They are made out in the name of Joseph Tanner 29 years old, slender, +with dark complexion, black hair and eyes--you see everything will +suit--with these nobody will refuse you an entrance as a volunteer." + +She gave him the papers, around which his right hand closed +spasmodically as upon the most precious jewel. + +"And these papers?" he asked, still doubting. + +"Belong to a dead man. They were given me for another purpose, but the +deceased has no further use for them and will pardon me if with them I +save a living man." + +Hartmut stormily opened the package. The wind almost tore the sheets +from his hand and he was scarcely able to decipher the contents as the +young widow continued: + +"Joseph Tanner had a small office at Ostwalden, when seized with a +hemorrhage this morning. He had but a few hours to live and gave me his +last words and mementos for his mother. The poor woman shall receive +everything--every letter, every scrap which can be a solace to her, but +I have taken the official papers--for you. We do not rob anybody in +doing this, for they are valueless to the mother to whom they now +belong. Perhaps a strict judge would call that deceit, but I gladly +shoulder the blame, and God will pardon it, and so will the +fatherland." + +Hartmut closed the case and hid it in his breast, which heaved under a +deep, deep breath. Then he drew himself up and pushed the rain-soaked +locks from the high brow, so like his father's--his only inheritance +from the Falkenrieds, but which gave him an unmistakable resemblance to +them. + +"You are right, Ada," he said. "I cannot thank you in words for what +you have done for me. Words have no power, but--I shall strive to +deserve it." + +"I know that. Farewell and--_auf wiedersehen!_" + +"No, do not wish that," said Hartmut gloomily. "Death in battle can +exonerate me to myself, but not to my father or Egon, for they would +never hear of it; and if I remained among the living the old stain +would return; but when I fall, tell them who rests under the foreign +name. Perhaps then they will believe you and remove the curse from my +grave." + +"Do you want to fall?" asked Adelaide with plaintive reproach, "even if +I tell you that you sadden me inexpressibly?" + +"Sadden you, Ada!" he cried passionately. "Do you no longer shudder at +my love--at the fate which drew us together? Oh, I might have possessed +the highest happiness, for you are--free; but it comes near to me now +for only a fleeting moment, and vanishes again into unattainable +heights, like the form of the legend who bears your name in my drama. +Nevertheless, it has approached me, and I may be permitted for once +only to clasp it to me in farewell." + +He drew her to him and pressed a kiss upon the brow of his love, who +leaned against him sobbing. + +"Hartmut, promise me that you will not seek death." + +"No; but it will know how to find me. Farewell, my own Ada." + +He tore himself away hastily. Adelaide remained alone. The storm roared +above her head; the giant crowns of the trees moaned and swayed; the +storm sang its wild song on and on, but suddenly over in the west there +flamed a dark-red rent through the clouds. It was only for a brief +moment--only one solitary ray of the sinking sun, but it shiningly +illumined the forest height and the departing one, who turned once more +and sent back a last greeting. Then the clouds massed together again, +and the ray was extinguished. + + + + + CHAPTER LIII. + + +The reddish, flickering glow of a wood fire lighted up the interior of +a small, isolated house which had formerly served as a dwelling to a +station-keeper, but was now pressed into service for the sentinels of +the outpost. The room did not bear an expression of cosiness with its +bare, smoked walls, low ceiling and small, barricaded windows, but the +tremendous logs which flared and burned in the uncouth stone fireplace +offered a very welcome warmth, for it was bitterly cold out of doors, +and the whole country was buried in the snow of a severe winter. + +The regiment here was hardly better off than their comrades before +Paris, although they belonged to the Southern army corps. + +At present two young officers were entering, and the one who still held +the door open called laughingly to the one preceding: "Please bend +down, Herr Comrade, or you might take our door frame along, for our +villa is in rather a dilapidated condition, as you see." + +The warning was not without need, for the giant figure of the guest--a +Prussian Lieutenant of the Reserve--was not at all in proportion to the +door. Nevertheless, he succeeded in entering safely and looked around +at the four walls, while his companion, who wore the uniform of a South +German regiment, continued: "Permit me to offer you a seat in our +'salon,' which is not so bad considering the circumstances. We have +already had it worse during the campaign. So you are looking for +Stahlberg? He is with my comrade out at the post, but will probably +return directly. You will have to be patient for a quarter of an hour." + +"With pleasure," assured the Prussian. "I see from that that Eugene's +injury is really as slight as he reported. I looked for him in the +hospital, and heard that he was making a visit to the outposts, but as +we shall probably march on by to-morrow, I did not wish to let this +opportunity pass by unimproved, and therefore came to see him now." + +"His wound was indeed only slight--a shot in the arm, which is already +far advanced toward healing, but will, nevertheless, disable him for +service for a short time. You are a friend of Stahlberg?" + +"Yes, and connected besides through the marriage of his sister. I +see that you do not remember me, Your Highness. Let me give you my +name--Willibald von Eschenhagen. We met last year----" + +"At Furstenstein," interrupted Egon von Adelsberg quickly. "Certainly, +now I remember you perfectly. It is remarkable how the uniform changes +one; I really did not know you at first." + +He glanced with a half-admiring look at the once awkward country squire +who had appeared so ridiculous to him, but who now possessed a stately, +military appearance. + +It was not the uniform alone, though, which had changed Willibald so +completely. What love had begun the campaign had finished by tearing +him from the accustomed surroundings and circumstances. The young Baron +had not only, as his Uncle Schonan expressed it, "become a man," but +had developed into a true, genuine man. + +"Our meeting at that time was a brief one," continued the Prince, "but +nevertheless you will permit me to offer my congratulations? You are +betrothed----" + +"I believe you are under a mistake, Your Highness," interrupted +Willibald with some embarrassment. "Although I had been introduced to +you at Furstenstein as the future son-in-law of the house, but----" + +"That has been changed," finished Egon, smiling. "I knew it, for the +comrade of whom I spoke just now is Lieutenant Waldorf, the happy +fiance of Baroness Schonan. My words were meant for Fraulein Marietta +Volkmar." + +"At present Frau von Eschenhagen." + +"What! You are already married?" + +"Have been for five months. We were married just before marching orders +came, and my wife is now at Burgsdorf with my mother." + +"Then accept my congratulations on your marriage. But really, Herr +Comrade, I ought to call you to account for the unwarrantable damage +you have done to art. Please tell your wife that, as far as I can learn +out here in the campaign, the entire Residenz still mourns her loss in +sackcloth and ashes." + +"I shall not forget it, although I fear the Residenz has not much time +for such mourning at present. Ah, the gentlemen are returning--I hear +Eugene's voice." + +Steps were heard outside and the expected ones entered. Young Stahlberg +greeted his relative with an exclamation of the most joyful surprise. +He had not seen Willibald during the campaign, although both served in +the same army corps. He still bore his arm in a sling, but otherwise +looked well and happy. + +Eugene did not possess the beauty of his sister, and the feature of +decided will-power which the daughter had inherited from her father was +missing. The son showed a gentle, more conciliatory nature in his +appearance as well as demeanor, but still he resembled his sister +closely, which might have been the cause of Prince Adelsberg's intimacy +with him. + +His companion, a handsome young officer with sparkling, saucy eyes, now +approached, and the Prince performed the introduction. + +"I will not fear that the gentlemen will challenge each other when I +mention the names," he said, jestingly. "They are obliged to be +called--so then, Herr von Eschenhagen--Herr von Waldorf." + +"God forbid! For my part I am peace personified," cried Waldorf gayly. +"Herr von Eschenhagen, I am glad to meet the cousin of my fiancee, and +so much more so because he is already in the bonds of holy matrimony. +We also would have liked to do as you did--marry before the march--but +my father-in-law put on his grimmest mien and declared, 'Gain victory +first and then marry.' Well, we have done the first continually for +five months, and as soon as I return home I shall speedily ask for the +second." + +He cordially shook the hand of his bride-elect's former fiance, then +turned to the Prince. + +"We brought along something for Your Highness--something we seized +outside. Orderly of Rodeck, advance to His Highness--the Lieutenant, +Prince Adelsberg." + +The door opened, and in spite of the gathering twilight the Prince +recognized the wrinkled face and snow-white hair of him who entered. He +started. + +"All good spirits defend us! It is Peter Stadinger!" + +It was, indeed, the live Stadinger who stood before his young master. +He did not seem to be wholly a stranger to the others, for although +they now saw him for the first time, they greeted his appearance with +the liveliest joy. + +"Above everything, let us have light to take a good look at the +'Waldgeist' of His Highness," cried Waldorf, lighting candles and +holding them with comical solemnity close before the old man. + +Egon laughed. + +"You see, Stadinger, what a well-known and frequently spoken of person +you are here. Now let me introduce you in proper form. Behold here, +gentlemen, Peter Stadinger--celebrated for his unequaled churlishness +and his moral lectures, which make one quake. He probably thinks I +cannot exist without them, and he will doubtless give to me here also +upon the battlefield the satisfaction of this friendly habit. I hope +that some of it will fall upon your heads, gentlemen--and now begin, +Stadinger!" + +But the old man, instead of obeying, grasped the hand of his master in +both of his and said in a heartrending tone: "Ach, Your Highness, how +we have trembled and feared for you at Rodeck!" + +"Well, that is polite!" said Eugene Stahlberg, but the Prince assumed a +displeased air. + +"So? And you therefore took to your legs speedily and left everything +to go topsy-turvy at Rodeck. I should not have thought you would +neglect your duty like that!" + +Stadinger looked at him in doubting perplexity. + +"But I have come according to orders. Your Highness has written me to +make haste and come and take Louis from the hospital--you would attend +to the travel and everything. I arrived this noon, and found the lad as +well as could be expected. The doctor thinks I can take him home with +me in a week, for then all danger would be over. But the kindness Your +Highness has shown to Louis and all the others from Rodeck who are in +the army can never be told. May God reward you a thousand times!" + +Egon withdrew his hand impatiently. + +"It is 'Herr Lieutenant' now, remember that. I insist upon my military +title--and what does this mean, now that when I count upon your +churlishness you are meek as a lamb and give us a pathetic scene! +I forbid it! This Louis, gentlemen, is a grandson of this old +Waldgeist--a fine, brave fellow, but he has a sister who is much +handsomer. I am sorry to say this senseless grandfather sends her away +regularly when I go to Rodeck. Why did Lena not come along? You should +have thought of bringing her." + +This proved effective against the meekness and affection, which were as +unusual as embarrassing. + +Stadinger drew himself up rigidly and replied with his usual terseness: +"I believed Your Highness had no time here in the war to think about +such foolishness." + +"Aha, now it is coming!" said the Prince under his breath to Waldorf, +who stood beside him, but aloud he continued: "That is where you are +very much mistaken. A fellow gets uncivilized in the war, and when I +return home again----" + +"Then Your Highness has promised to get married at last," reminded the +old man in the most emphatic tone, which called forth general laughter +among the young officers. Egon joined it, but his laugh sounded forced, +just as did his reply: + +"Yes, yes; I have promised, but I have reconsidered the matter in the +meantime. I may keep my word in ten years or perhaps in twenty, but no +sooner." + +Stadinger, who in spite of the command would not have used the title of +Lieutenant under any consideration, because that would be a humiliation +to the ducal family in his eyes, flew into a high state of indignation +and gave free vent to it. + +"If I do not almost believe it! If Your Highness has really for once a +sensible thought, it does not hold good for twenty-four hours--and your +sacred father a married man, too! Man has to marry, anyhow, and all +foolishness stops of its own accord after marriage." + +"Now that he is in the run of it, gentlemen, let him moralize to you," +cried Egon, and the young officers, to whom this was great fun, teased +the poor Stadinger until he lost all respect and exhibited himself in +the full halo of his admonitory nature. + +Half an hour later Willibald and Eugene Stahlberg approached the Prince +to take leave. + +"You march on by to-morrow?" he asked. + +"At daybreak. We march toward R----, where Major-General von Falkenried +is stationed with his brigade, though it will take several days to +reach there, for the whole country between here and the fortress is +occupied by the enemy, and we have to clear our way." + +"But tell the General, Willy, that I shall follow in at least a week," +said Eugene. "It is bad enough that I have to remain behind so long on +account of a shot wound not worth mentioning. Next week I shall report +myself well, whatever the doctor may say, and after that I shall join +my regiment without delay--I hope before the capture of R----" + +"You must, indeed, make haste then," said Egon, "for resistance does +not last long usually where General Falkenried stands; we have seen +that often enough. He is always in front with his men always the first +to storm a place, and has already won inconceivable things. It seems as +if no impossibility exists for him." + +"But he has the good luck to be always put in the front," grumbled +Lieutenant Waldorf. "Now again he is to take R----, while we lie here, +God knows how long. And he will take possession of it--there is no +doubt of that--perhaps he has taken it already. News reaches us only by +roundabout ways so long as the enemy stands between us." + +He arose to escort the two gentlemen out, while the Prince remained +behind. + +Standing before the fire with folded arms, he gazed into it, and his +face bore an expression not in accordance with the gayety which he had +but now been showing. Seriously, yet gloomily, he looked into the +dancing flames, and the shadow would not leave his usually sunny eyes. + +He seemed to have forgotten the presence of Stadinger, but as the +latter made himself heard by clearing his throat, he started. + +"Ah, you are still here? Remember me to Louis and tell him I will come +to see him again to-morrow. We don't have to say farewell yet, as you +remain here for the present. You did not think we had such gay times +here? Yes, one makes life easy as possible when one has to be ready +every day to lose it." + +The old man stood before his master and looked sharply into his eyes, +then he spoke half aloud: + +"Yes, the gentlemen were gay and Your Highness the gayest of all but +you are not happy in spite of it." + +"I? What do you mean? Why should I not be happy?" + +"I don't know that, but still I see it," insisted Stadinger. "When Your +Highness used to come from Furstenstein, or were up to all sorts of +things with Herr Rojanow, you looked different and laughed different, +and just now when you looked into the fire it seemed to me as if Your +Highness had something very heavy upon your heart." + +"Get away with all your observations!" cried Egon, to whom his old +Waldgeist was again becoming uncomfortable. "Do you suppose we are +always jolly? I should say that when one has the bloody battlefield +always before the mind, earnest thoughts come near." + +Nothing could be said to that, and Stadinger remained silent, but he +could not be deceived. He knew quite well that something was wrong with +his young master, and that something was hidden behind this ostensibly +exhibited gayety. + + + + + CHAPTER LIV. + + +Lieutenant Waldorf re-entered the room, but left the door open. "Come +right in here," he called to the man hesitating outside. "Here is an +orderly from the Seventh Regiment with a report. Well, don't you hear, +orderly? Come in!" + +The repetition of the order sounded very impatient. The soldier who +stood upon the threshold hesitated there, and had even made a start +back, as if he wished to return to the darkness outside. He now obeyed, +but kept close to the door, so that his face remained in the dusk. + +"Do you come from the outposts at the Capellenberg?" asked Waldorf. + +"At your command, Herr Lieutenant." + +Egon, who had turned indifferently, started at the sound of that voice. +He made a hasty step forward, then stopped as if suddenly recollecting +himself, but his eyes were fixed with an almost terrified expression +upon the speaker. + +As far as could be discerned in the semi-darkness he was a tall young +fellow in the coarse cloak of the common soldier, with helmet upon his +closely-cut hair. He stood there, rigidly immovable, and delivered his +report correctly, but his voice had a peculiarly choked, hollow sound. + +"From Captain Salfeld," he reported. "We have seized a suspicious +character, dressed as a peasant, but probably from the French reserve, +who tried to steal into the fortress. What writings he had with +him----" + +"Do come nearer," commanded Waldorf, impatiently. "We cannot half +understand you." + +The soldier obeyed, drawing near to the officers. The light now fell +full and sharp upon his features, but his face bore an ashy paleness; +the teeth were tightly closed, and the eyes were fastened to the floor. + +Egon's hand clutched the hilt of his sabre convulsively, and only by an +effort he suppressed the stormy exclamation which was forced to his +lips, while Stadinger, with wide-open eyes, glared at the man, who now +continued: "The writings which he had with him were not of much +account, but contained hints which he was probably to fill out +verbally. The Captain thinks that if he were strictly examined, more +could be learned, and asks now whether he shall send the prisoner here +or to headquarters." + +The report was neither surprising nor unusual. It often happened that +suspicious people were seized. The enemy's reserve tried obstinately to +obtain connection with the fortress; perhaps they kept it up in spite +of all the watchfulness of the besiegers: but Prince Adelsberg seemed +to have to struggle for breath before he could give the answer. + +"I beg the Captain to send the prisoner here. We shall be relieved in +two hours and then we march straight to headquarters. I shall attend to +the fellow." + +"I hope he can be made to speak when he is seriously pressed," remarked +Waldorf. "He would not be the first whose heart had fallen when his +position became clear to him. Well, we shall see." + +The soldier stood there awaiting his dismissal; not a muscle quivered +in his face, but neither did he raise his eyes from the floor. Egon had +now collected himself, and, retaining the assumed ignorance, he asked +in the curt tone of the superior: + +"Do you belong to the Seventh Regiment?" + +"At your command, Herr Lieutenant." + +"Your name?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"Drawn?" + +"No, volunteer." + +"Since when?" + +"Since the 30th of July." + +"You have been in the whole campaign?" + +"Yes, Herr Lieutenant." + +"Very well; now take the message to your Captain." + +The soldier saluted, turned upon his heel and left. + +Waldorf, who had been a little surprised at the examination, but had +not attached any importance to it, looked after him, shrugging his +shoulders. + +"Those out at the Capellenberg have the worst time of it. No rest by +day or night; taxed to the utmost, and with all that they are often +ordered to help the pioneer corps. The poor fellows work there in the +hard, frozen ground until the sweat runs in streams from their brows, +and their hands bleed. Our people surely are better off." + +He left the room to appoint an orderly to guard the expected prisoner +and give him the necessary instructions; but Egon tore the window open +and leaned out; it seemed as if he should suffocate. + +Then he heard Stadinger's voice behind him in subdued tones, which +nevertheless betrayed the greatest terror. + +"Your Highness." + +"What is it?" Egon asked without turning. + +"Has not Your Highness seen?" + +"What?" + +"The orderly who was here just now. That was Herr Rojanow as sure as he +lives and breathes." + +Egon saw that presence of mind was needed here, so he turned around and +said coldly: "I believe you see ghosts." + +"But, Your Highness----" + +"Nonsense! there may be a little resemblance. I noticed it myself, +therefore I wanted to know the name of the man. You heard that it was +Joseph Tanner." + +"But still it was the real live Herr Rojanow," cried the unshakable +Stadinger, whose sharp eyes could not be deceived. "Only the black +locks were gone and the proud, haughty manner, but it was his voice." + +"Get away from me with your fancies!" Egon broke out angrily. "You know +that Herr Rojanow is in Sicily, but here you want to trace him in an +orderly of the Seventh Regiment. It is truly worse than ridiculous." + +Stadinger held his peace. It was, indeed, ridiculous and impossible, +and consequently was his young Prince so ungracious. He felt offended +that a common soldier should be confounded with his friend. And really +the haughty Rojanow, who understood how to command from the very +bottom of his heart, and had often chased all the servants at Rodeck +helter-skelter with his orders--and the orderly who had been snubbed by +Lieutenant Waldorf because he did not speak loud enough--were two ever +so different things. If only it had not been for the voice! + +"Think, Your Highness," besought the old man, who was now wavering. + +"I think that you are an old seer of spirits," said Egon more mildly. +"Go into your quarters and sleep away the fatigue of your journey, or +you will be finding some more resemblances. Good-night!" + +Stadinger obeyed and took his leave. Fortunately he had not known +Joseph Tanner, who had only been at Ostwalden a few weeks, and the +encounter had put him in such a fright that the partly concealed +excitement of his master passed quite unnoticed by him. But he clung to +his doubts; the thing was strange--very strange. + +When the Prince found himself alone he began to pace the floor in +violent excitement. So! what he had refused his former friend had been +enforced. Joseph Tanner! He plainly remembered the name, which had been +mentioned to him at Ostwalden, and he knew now whose hand had opened +for Hartmut the ranks of the army which had been closed to a Rojanow. + +What will not the love of a woman attain!--a woman who desires to see +her love exonerated at any price. She herself had sent him out into +danger and death--to save him for life and--herself. Jealousy rose wild +and hot in Egon's breast at the thought, and with it that awful +suspicion, not yet overcome, raised its head again threateningly. Did +Hartmut really wish to atone only in this war? Was not his presence at +the outposts a danger, for which one was responsible if he kept it a +secret? + +Then came back to the Prince's mind the pale, gloomy face of the man +to-night--the friend who had once been so dear to him, and who must +have suffered agonies of torture at this encounter, far exceeding his +imagination. He well knew Hartmut's unbending pride, and this pride was +now bowed low in the dust in that subordinate position day after day. +He had heard it; how out there on the Capellenberg they often worked so +hard that in spite of the icy weather the sweat poured in streams from +their brows, and their hands bled. This was what the spoiled, famed +Rojanow was doing; the man at whose feet the whole town laid its homage +only a year ago, and whom the house of the reigning Prince had +overwhelmed with distinction; and he was doing it of his own free will, +when the success of his poetical work afforded him the richest +revenues. And with it all, he was the son of General Falkenried! + +Egon's breast rose under a deep but relieved breath. This view of it +was giving him back slowly his lost faith; all torturing doubts fled +before this. The old sin of the boy Hartmut was now being atoned for, +and the other more awful sin was the mother's alone--not his. + + + + + CHAPTER LV. + + +It was toward nine o'clock in the evening when Prince Adelsberg left +his quarters to go to the Commanding General. He was not obeying an +official order, but an invitation, for the General had been close +friends with his father, and had shown paternal attention to the son +all during the campaign. + +Egon would have given much to have been permitted to remain at home +to-night, for the encounter with Hartmut had shaken him to the inmost +heart, but the invitation of the superior could not be disregarded, and +one could not follow one's inclinations in war-time. + +An adjutant met the Prince upon the stairs, seeming to be in the +greatest haste, and only dropping a hint of bad news, which Prince +Adelsberg would probably hear from the General. Egon mounted the stairs +shaking his head. + +The General was alone, pacing the room in apparent excitement and with +a face which boded no good. + +"Good evening, Prince Adelsberg," he said, pausing in his walk at the +entrance of the young officer. "I am sorry I cannot promise you a +pleasant evening, but we have received news which will probably ruin +every pleasure of being together." + +"I just heard a hint about it," replied Egon; "but what has happened, +Your Excellency? The dispatches of to-day noon sounded favorable." + +"I have had this news but an hour. You yourself delivered the +suspicious man who had been seized by our outposts to headquarters. Do +you know what he had with him?" + +"Yes, for Captain Salfeld sent the papers with the prisoner. I was also +of the opinion that he was to complete the information verbally, as +they had been carefully prepared. They had apparently counted upon the +possibility of the man's falling into our hands. He would not confess +anything, but I knew he would be examined closely here." + +"Which has been done. The man was a coward, and when he saw the bullet +threatening him he saved himself by a confession, the truth of which +cannot be doubted. You remember that in one of the papers it was +mentioned that one could in an extreme case follow the heroic example +of the commander of R----?" + +"Yes, that is incomprehensible, as the fortress is on the eve of +surrender. General Falkenried sent word that he hopes to move in by +to-morrow." + +"And I fear he will make his word good," cried the General. Egon looked +at him in amazement. + +"You _fear_, Excellency?" + +"Yes, for there is a scoundrelly scheme--a betrayal without example. +They mean to surrender the fortress, and when their garrison has +withdrawn to a safe distance, and our army has moved in, they intend to +blow the citadel to atoms." + +"For God's sake!" shrieked the Prince in horror. "Cannot General +Falkenried be notified?" + +"That is the question. I fear that it will not be possible. I have sent +out warnings upon two different routes, but our direct connection with +R---- is cut off; the enemy has the mountain passes in possession; the +messengers will have to make a wide circuit and cannot arrive there in +time." + +Egon was silent in deepest consternation. The passes were, indeed, +occupied by the hostile forces. Eschenhagen's regiment had been sent to +clear the way, but that might take several days. + +"We have considered all possibilities," continued the General, "but +there is no way out of it--nothing but a slight hope that the surrender +has been delayed in some way; but Falkenried is not the man to allow +himself to be kept waiting. He will hasten the finale and then he is +lost with perhaps thousands with him." + +He resumed his walk through the room. One could see how the fate of his +endangered comrades went to the heart of this iron man. + +The Prince, too, stood helpless, but suddenly a thought flashed upon +him. He drew himself up. + +"Your Excellency." + +"Well?" + +"If it should be possible to send a dispatch over the passes, a good +horseman might possibly get to R---- by to-morrow morning. Of course, +he would have to ride for life and death----" + +"And through the midst of the enemy--nonsense! You are a soldier and +must tell yourself that it is impossible. The foolhardy rider would not +get half a mile--he would be shot down." + +"But if a man could be found who would be willing to make the attempt +in spite of everything? I know such a man, Your Excellency." + +The General frowned angrily. + +"Does that mean that you wish to offer yourself for this useless +sacrifice? I would have to prohibit that, Prince Adelsberg. I know how +to value the courage of my officers, but I shall not give them +permission for such impossible enterprises." + +"I do not speak of myself," said Egon earnestly. "The man of whom I am +thinking belongs to the Seventh Regiment, and is at present upon +sentinel duty on the Capellenberg. It was he who reported the +prisoner." + +The General had grown thoughtful, but he shook his head incredulously. + +"I say it is impossible; but what is this man's name?" + +"Joseph Tanner." + +"Private?" + +"Yes, he entered voluntarily." + +"You know him, then?" + +"Yes, Your Excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole army; +dauntless to foolhardiness, and capable to act in such a case with the +circumspection of an officer. If the thing can possibly be done, he +will do it." + +"And you believe--such a thing cannot be commanded--it is, indeed, an +act of despair--you believe that the man would take this message of his +own free will?" + +"I stand for it." + +"Then, indeed, I cannot nor dare not say no where so much is at stake. +I will order Tanner up immediately." + +"May I not take the order to him?" Egon quickly interrupted. + +The General stopped and looked at him searchingly. + +"You wish to do it yourself--why?" + +"To save time; the road which Tanner has to take leads by the +Capellenberg; an hour would pass before he could get to headquarters +and back." + +Nothing could be said against that, but the General seemed to feel that +something important was hidden beneath this. An ordinary private would +hardly undertake such peril, which drove him almost into death's +embrace, but the old warrior did not inquire further. He only asked: + +"Do you stand for the man?" + +"Yes," returned the Prince, firmly and calmly. + +"Very well; then you can inform him yourself. But one thing more--he +must have statements for the outposts on the other side, if indeed he +reaches it, for every detention may prove fatal where moments count." + +He stepped to his desk and wrote a few lines upon a paper, which he +handed to the Prince. + +"Here is the necessary passport, and here the dispatch to Falkenried. +Will you bring me immediate news whether or not Tanner consents to go?" + +"Instantly, Your Excellency." + +Egon received the papers, took his leave, and hastened to his quarters, +where he ordered his horse saddled at once. Five minutes later saw him +on his way. + + + + + CHAPTER LVI. + + +The Capellenberg, of Chapel Mountain, which had probably borne +originally another name, but was so called by the Germans because it +bore a chapel, was only a small height, partly covered with forests. It +was the last outrunner of the mountains at this side, and formed here +the border of the German troops. A company of the Seventh Regiment was +stationed in the farms which lay scattered over its side. Their +position was rightly considered very hard and most dangerous. + +The chapel lay desolate and lonely, half buried in the deep snow. +Priests and choir had long since fled, and the little edifice bore +traces of destruction everywhere, for hot battles had been fought +around this height. Walls and roof still stood intact, but a part of +the ceiling had fallen, and the wind whistled through the shattered +windows. Behind it rose the forest, clad in ice and snow, and all this +lay in the uncertain light of the half-moon which was now visible in +the heavily clouded sky, shedding her ghostly light upon the +surroundings, only to again quickly disappear. + +It was an icy winter night, as at that time at Rodeck, and, as then, +the horizon was lit up by a dark reddish glow; but no aurora beamed +here in gorgeous beauty; the glow which flared here in the north bore +witness of battles fought all around; it had its origin in burning +villages and farms; the awful signs of the flame of war, which were +reflected in the skies. + +A lonely sentinel stood here with gun on shoulder--Hartmut von +Falkenried. + +His eyes hung on the flaming horizon, the dark masses of cloud shone +there blood-red, and from time to time a shower of fiery sparks burst +from the seething smoke which rested over the earth. + +Glow and flame there; ice and night here! The cold, which had been +intense already during the day, now grew to the breath of ice, in which +all life seemed to become stark, and which chilled the lonely sentinel +to the very marrow. + +Although he was not the only one who had to do this hard duty, his +comrades had not been spoiled by years of life in the Orient and the +balmy air of Sicily. Hartmut had not lived through a northern winter +since his boyhood; this cold grew disastrous to him, for it seemed to +change the blood in his veins into ice. + +Slowly the deadly sleepiness, which is not sleep, crept upon him; it +made the limbs heavy as lead, and drooped the eyelids forcibly. He who +was so terribly threatened, struggled against it with all his +will-power; he tried to collect himself and move about; he succeeded +for a moment, but exhaustion again approached, the end of which he +knew. + +Was it not even to be granted him to fall by a bullet? + +Hartmut's glance turned to the half-destroyed house of God, as if +beseeching help; but what were church and altar to him? He had cast +faith from him long ago; only night with death stared him in the face, +and life would have given him so much when the atonement should have +been completed--possession of his love, the fame of a poet, and perhaps +even reconciliation with his father. + +But it was not to be. He must stand to his post and wait for the +ignominous death which was creeping upon him from the icy darkness. +Duty commanded and he--obeyed. + +But in the distance sounded steps and voices which came nearer and +nearer. They tore Hartmut from the semi-unconsciousness which had +already begun to veil his senses. + +He roused himself with an effort and made his gun ready, but it was his +comrades who drew near. What did it mean? The hour for relief had not +yet come; but in a moment a sergeant stood before him. + +"Relief--command from headquarters brought by an officer," came the +order. + +The change was made and a sturdy peasant, who did not seem to mind the +cold much, took Hartmut's place. As Hartmut was about to join the +sergeant an officer approached him from the other side. + +"Let the sergeant go on. I wish to speak to you, Tanner; follow me." + +Prince Adelsberg, who did not wish the sentinel to witness the +conversation, entered the chapel, into which Hartmut followed him. + +The pale moonlight falling through the windows revealed all the +dismantled and destroyed interior. The fallen ceiling had shattered +some of the pews; the altar alone stood undemolished. + +Egon had walked to the middle of the room, where he stopped and turned. + +"Hartmut." + +"Herr Lieutenant." + +"Stop that, we are alone," said the Prince. "I did not think, that we +should meet like this." + +"And I hoped I should be spared it," said Hartmut hoarsely, "You have +come----" + +"From headquarters. I heard that you had been ordered to sentinel duty +on the Capellenberg. That is awful duty for such a night as this." + +Hartmut was silent; he knew that without this interruption it would +have been his last duty. + +Egon looked at him with concern. In spite of the uncertain light he saw +how rigid and exhausted was the man who leaned against one of the +pillars as if he needed support. + +"I came to bring you an order, but it is left to your own free will to +accept it or not. The matter is considered almost impossible, and it +would be, perhaps, to any one else. You have courage for it, I know, +but the question is, have you the strength after all these exertions?" + +"Fifteen minutes' rest and warmth will give me the strength. But what +does it concern?" + +"A ride for life or death. You are to take a message through the midst +of the enemy--to R----" + +"To the fortress?" cried Hartmut with a start. "There stands----" + +"General Falkenried with his brigade; he is lost if the message does +not reach him. We lay his safety in the hands of his son." + +Again Hartmut started. Gone were frost and exhaustion. With feverish +excitement he grasped the Prince's arm. + +"I am to save my father? I? What has happened? What must I do?" + +"Listen. The prisoner whom you reported to me to-day has given us a +terrible disclosure; it concerns a betrayal. The fortress is to be +blown up as soon as their troops are in safety and ours have taken +possession. The General sent warnings instantly, but they will not +reach them in time, as they have to take a circuitous route. Your +father thinks of taking possession to-morrow. He must be warned before +that, and there is only one possibility. The messenger must go over the +mountain passes, which are held by the enemy. If successful, the news +will reach there to-morrow before noon, but the way----" + +"I know it," interrupted Hartmut. "Our regiment took it only fourteen +days ago coming here. The passes were free then." + +"So much the better! Of course you must take off your uniform, which +would betray you." + +"I shall change only cloak and helmet. If I am held up at all, my fate +is sealed--so it is only important that I be not recognized in flying +past. If only a good capable horse can be found!" + +"It is at hand. I brought my Arab--my Saladin--with me. You know him +and have often ridden him. He flies like a bird, and must do his master +achievement this night." + +The conversation had been conducted with flying haste, and now the +Prince drew out the papers which he had received at headquarters. + +"Here is the order of the Commanding General, which puts everything at +your disposal when you reach our outposts--and here the dispatch. Give +yourself half an hour's rest, for your strength might not hold out, and +you will break down on the way." + +"Do you think that I need rest and recreation now," cried Hartmut, +flashing up. "I shall surely not break down now; it will have to be +under the fire of the enemy if I do. I thank you, Egon, for this hour, +in which you at last--at last--speak to me free from that base +suspicion." + +"And in which I send you out into death," said the Prince softly. "We +will not shun the truth. It will be a miracle if you get through +safely." + +"A miracle." + +Hartmut's glance wandered to the altar, upon which rested the pale +light of the moon. He had forgotten long ago how to pray, yet at this +moment he sent up a silent, fervent prayer to the heavens--to the power +which could do miracles. + +"Only until I have saved my father and his men--only so long guide and +keep me!" + +In the next second he drew himself up. It was as if Egon had poured +glowing life power into the veins of the man who so shortly since was +threatened with death through cold and exhaustion. + +"And now let us say good-by," whispered Egon. "Farewell, Hartmut." + +He opened wide his arms and Hartmut fell upon his breast. + +All that had stood between them was buried in this embrace. The old +glowing love burst forth powerfully again for the last time, for both +felt that they would not meet again--that this was a final farewell. + +Scarce fifteen minutes later a horseman dashed away; the slender Arab +flying so that his hoof seemed not to touch the ground. In furious +gallop he flew along over the snow through ice-covered forests, over +frozen brooks on and on into the mountain passes! + + + + + CHAPTER LVII. + + +The next day brought clear, frosty weather, but the sun shone brightly +and the cold had somewhat abated. + +In Prince Adelsberg's quarters were Eugene Stahlberg and Waldorf, the +latter being off duty today on account of a fall upon the ice, +resulting in an injury to his hand, which prevented him from marching +with his company as Egon had done. + +The gentlemen were awaiting their princely comrade, who was expected +soon, and entertained themselves in the meantime by teasing Peter +Stadinger, who had, as in duty bound, appeared at his young master's +this morning, and who also awaited him now. + +The young officers knew nothing as yet of the news which had +been obtained at headquarters yesterday, and were in the best of +spirits--taking all possible pains to call forth in Stadinger the +far-famed churlishness. But it was not successful today. The old man +remained laconic and reticent. He would only repeat his question: When +would His Highness return? and if it would be a serious skirmish to +which His Highness had marched? until finally Waldorf lost all +patience. + +"Stadinger, I believe you would like best to pack up your Prince and +take him back with you to your Rodeck, which is safe from bombs," he +asserted. "You must get over this anxiety in the war--remember that." + +"And, besides, the Prince has only marched out to reconnoitre," added +Eugene. "He is just taking a little walk with his people from the +Capellenberg into the neighboring dales and ravines, to ascertain how +it really looks there. They will probably exchange a few compliments +with the French gentlemen, and then retreat politely; the more impolite +attacks will follow in a few days." + +"But is there shooting with it all?" asked Stadinger, with such anxious +mien that the two officers laughed aloud. + +"Yes, shots are being exchanged, too," confirmed Waldorf. "You seem to +have great fear of them, yet you are at a safe distance." + +"I?" The old man drew himself up, deeply offended. + +"I wish I could be in the midst of it also." + +"Perhaps to protect your much loved Highness. The Prince would decline +that. You would hold on to his coat tails and cry continually, 'Take +care, Your Highness, there comes a ball.' That would look fine!" + +"Herr Lieutenant," said the old man, so seriously that the gay tease +was silenced, "you should not do that to an old hunter who has often +climbed after the chamois, and has fired his gun when he had scarcely a +foot's breadth of ground to stand on; I feel so depressed and anxious +to-day. I wish the day would end." + +"Well, it was not meant so seriously," said Eugene, soothingly. "We +believe you, Stadinger; you do not look like a man who is afraid. But +you must not speak to us about your depressing presentiments. One does +not think of them after one has stood so many times in the shower of +bullets. When we are happily at home again, I will come to my sister at +Ostwalden, and we will then be good neighbors with Rodeck. The Prince +loves his old forest nook so well. And now abandon your anxiety, for +there he comes already." + +Rapid steps were heard on the stairs outside; the old man sighed with +relief. But it was only Egon's attendant who appeared in the open door. + +"Well, has His Highness arrived?" asked Waldorf; but Stadinger did not +allow the man time to answer. He had cast one glance at his face--only +a single one--then suddenly grasped his hand with a convulsive clutch. + +"What is it? Where--where is my master?" + +The man shook his head sadly and pointed silently to the window, to +which both officers hastened with fear and dread. But Stadinger lost no +time. He dashed out down the stairs, into the little garden which lay +before the house, and with a loud, bitter cry sank upon his knees at +the side of a stretcher, upon which there lay a slender, youthful +figure. + +"Quietly," said the physician who had accompanied the sad group. +"Control yourself--the Prince is seriously wounded." + +"I see it," gasped the faithful old servant; "but not fatally--oh, say +not fatally. Only tell me that, Herr Doctor!" + +He looked up to the surgeon with such despairing entreaty that the +latter had not courage to tell him the truth, but turned to the two +officers who now hastened near and overwhelmed him with low, anxious +questioning. + +"A ball in the breast," he explained, in the same tone. "The Prince +begged to be brought to his quarters, and we have used all possible +care in the moving; but it will bring the end more quickly than I +thought." + +"Fatal?" asked Waldorf. + +"Beyond a doubt." + +The surgeon gave the bearers who prepared to take their charge into the +house, a sign to desist. + +"Stop, the Prince seems to have something to say to his old servant, +and there are no moments to lose." + +Stadinger saw and heard nothing of what happened at his side. He looked +only upon his master. + +Egon seemed to be unconscious. The light hair had become disheveled, +the eyes were closed, and beneath the cloak with which he had been +covered, and which had partly fallen open, the blood-stained uniform +could be seen. + +"Your Highness," besought Stadinger, softly, according to the doctor's +warning, but with heartbreaking accents, "only look at me! Speak to me! +It is I--Stadinger." + +The well-known voice found its way to the ear of the desperately +wounded man. Slowly his eyes opened, and a slight smile flitted over +his features as he recognized the old man who knelt at his side. + +"My old Waldgeist," he whispered, "did you have to come--to see this?" + +"But you will not die, Your Highness," murmured Stadinger, his whole +body a-tremble, but never removing his eyes from his dying master; +"no--do not die--surely not!" + +"Do you think that it is hard?" said Egon, calmly. "Yesterday--you saw +quite correctly--my heart felt heavy; but now it is light. Give my love +to Rodeck--and to my forests and--to her, too, the mistress of +Ostwalden." + +"Whom? Frau Wallmoden?" asked Stadinger, almost terrified at this turn. + +"Yes--take her my last greeting--tell her to think of me sometimes." + +The words came painfully--brokenly--from the lips which seemed to +almost refuse their duty; but they left no doubt as to the meaning of +the last greeting. + +Eugene had started when he heard the name of his sister, and now bent +low over the dying man, who saw the brother of Adelaide--recognized the +features which resembled hers so much--and again a smile passed over +his face. Then he leaned his fair head quietly and calmly on the breast +of his old Waldgeist, and the beautiful blue eyes closed forever. + +It had been a short, painless struggle--almost a falling asleep. +Stadinger had not moved--had not uttered a sound, for he knew it would +hurt his young master, whom he had borne in his arms as a child, and +who now drew his last breath in those arms. But, when all was over, the +composure of the old man gave way. He threw himself despairingly upon +the body and wept like a child. + + + + + CHAPTER LVIII. + + +Over on the other side of the mountain passes also the winter sun shone +clear and bright upon the new achievements which the victorious German +troops had acquired. + +The negotiations with the commander of R---- had been brought to an +end, and the fortress had surrendered. The captive garrison moved out, +while a portion of the victors had already marched in. + +General Falkenried stood in the main square of the lower town with his +staff, about to move also into the fortress. The helmets and arms of +the troops who were on their way into the citadel glittered in the +sunshine. Falkenried issued various orders, then took his stand at the +head of his staff and gave the signal to march. + +But now there came a horseman in furious haste over the main road; the +noble animal he rode was covered with sweat and foam, and his sides +bled from the cruel spurs which had hurried him on and on when his +strength threatened to desert him. The face also of the rider was +disfigured by the blood trickling from beneath the cloth that had been +wound around the forehead. + +He came flying, as if driven by a tornado, and everything fled from +before him until he reached the open square, dashed through the midst +of the officers straight up to the General. A few steps from the end of +the journey the strength of the noble horse failed, he broke down +completely; but at the same moment the rider sprang from the saddle and +hastened toward the commander. + +"From the Commanding General." + +Falkenried started at the first word. He had not recognized the +blood-covered face; he only saw that the man who dashed up as if for +life or death must bring an important message. But at the sound of that +voice, an idea of the truth flashed upon him. + +Hartmut swayed and laid his hand for a moment on his brow; it seemed as +if he were about to break down, too, like his horse. But he recovered +with an effort. + +"The General sends word to be cautious--betrayal is planned--the +fortress will be blown up as soon as its garrison has moved off. Here +is the dispatch." + +He tore a paper from his breast and gave it to Falkenried. The officers +had become violently excited at the awful news, and pressed around +their chief as if expecting to hear from him confirmation of the +incredible report. But they had a strange sight before them. + +The General, whose iron composure they all knew--who never lost control +of himself--had turned deathly pale, and stared at the speaker as if a +spirit had risen before him from the ground, while he held the paper +unopened in his hand. + +"Herr General--the dispatch!" + +One of the adjutants who understood the proceedings as little as the +others, gently reminded him; but it was enough to bring Falkenried back +to consciousness. He tore the dispatch open and glanced it over, and +was now again the soldier who knew nothing but his duty. + +With full, firm voice he gave his orders. The officers galloped right +and left; signals and commands resounded in all directions, and in a +few moments the last detachment of soldiers came to a standstill. Upon +the fortress sounded the signal of alarm. Neither friend nor foe knew +what it meant. Did it not appear as if the so recently conquered place +was to be vacated at once? But the orders were executed with the usual +alacrity and dispatch; the movements were completed with perfect +composure, in spite of the haste, and the troops turned back into the +town. + +Falkenried was still in the open square, giving orders, receiving +reports, watching and guiding everything with his eyes. But still he +found a moment's time to turn to his son, to whom he had not as yet +given any sign of recognition. + +"You are bleeding--let it be bandaged." + +Hartmut shook his head hastily. + +"Later--I must first see the retreat--the rescue." + +The awful excitement sustained him; he did not falter again, but +followed with feverish attention every movement of the troops. + +Falkenried looked at him and then asked: + +"Which way did you come?" + +"Over the mountain passes." + +"Over the passes! The enemy stands there." + +"Yes, there they stand." + +"And you came over that way?" + +"I had to, otherwise the news would not have reached here in time. I +started only last night." + +"But that is an heroic deed without an equal! Man, how could you +accomplish it?" exclaimed one of the higher officers, who had just +brought a report and heard the last words. + +Hartmut was silent; only he slowly raised his eyes to his father. He no +longer feared the eyes he had feared so long, and what he read in them +now told him that here, too, he was free from that awful suspicion. + +But even the greatest will power has its limits, and this was reached +with the man who had rendered almost superhuman assistance. The face of +his father was the last thing he saw--then it disappeared as behind a +bloody veil; something hot and wet flowed over his forehead--all became +night around him, and he sank to the ground. + +And now resounded a crash, under the appalling force of which the whole +town trembled and quaked. The citadel, whose outlines had just stood +out sharp and clear against the blue sky, was suddenly transformed into +a crater, vomiting forth fire and destruction. In those walls a hell +seemed to open; showers of rocks and stones rose high in the air, only +to come down with thunderous clatter, and immediately there leaped and +flickered over all the huge pile of debris a giant pillar of fire and +smoke which rose up to the heavens--a terrible sign of flame! + +The warning had arrived at the last possible moment. But, in spite of +it, there was a sacrifice of life, for whoever had been still in the +neighborhood of the citadel had been crushed or severely injured. Still +the loss was small in comparison with the incalculable disaster which +would surely have taken place had not the warning been brought. + +The General, with his officers and nearly all his troops, had been +saved. Falkenried had made all the arrangements required by the +dreadful catastrophe with his usual promptitude and circumspection. He +was everywhere, and his activity and example succeeded in giving back +to the men who had been betrayed in the height of victory their +equilibrium. Only when the commander had done his duty did the father +seek his natural rights. + +Hartmut still lay unconscious in one of the neighboring houses, into +which he had been carried when he sank to the ground. He neither saw +nor heard the father, who stood at his bedside with one of the +physicians. + +Falkenried silently gazed down upon the pale face and closed eyes, then +turned to the physician. + +"You do not consider the wound fatal?" + +The doctor sadly shrugged his shoulders. + +"Not the wound in itself, but the great overexertion of that life and +death ride--the heavy loss of blood, the bitter cold of the night. I +fear, Herr General, you must be prepared for the worst." + +"I am prepared for it," said Falkenried, solemnly. Then he knelt down +and kissed the son whom perhaps he had found only to lose again; and +hot, burning tears fell upon the deathly white face. + +But it was not granted the father to remain with his child for any +length of time; he was forced to leave after a few moments, requesting +the doctor once more to give his greatest care and skill to the +patient. + +At the open square were collected the General's staff and other +officers, awaiting their chief. They knew he was at present with the +wounded man who had brought the warning, and whom nobody knew. + +It had become known that he had come over the mountain passes, through +the midst of the foe--that he had ventured upon a ride the like of +which nobody in the army could imitate--and when the General at last +appeared, everybody gathered around him, questioningly. + +Falkenried was deeply serious, but the rigid, gloomy look which his +face was accustomed to bear had disappeared and given place to an +expression which the attendant officers saw now for the first time. In +his eyes tears still glistened, but his voice sounded firm and clear as +he answered: + +"Yes, gentlemen, he is desperately injured, and perhaps it was his last +ride that brought rescue to us. But he has done his duty as a man and a +soldier, and if you want to know his name--he is my son, Hartmut von +Falkenried!" + + + + + CHAPTER LIX. + + +The old mansion of Burgsdorf lay peaceful and cosy in the brightest +sunlight. It had but recently received back its lord, who had been +absent nearly a year, and who returned now after the war was over, to +his home and his young wife. + +The large estate, with its extensive work, had not suffered through his +long absence, for it had been under safe guidance. The master's mother +had stepped into her old place, and held the reins with her usual firm +hand, until the return of her son; but now she laid those reins +solemnly into his hands again and insisted, in spite of all prayers and +entreaties, upon leaving Burgsdorf and returning to her city home. + +At present Frau von Eschenhagen was standing upon the terrace, the +broad stone steps of which led into the garden, talking with Willibald, +who stood beside her. + +Her glance rested with undeniable satisfaction upon the powerful, manly +form of her son, who appeared even more stately now because of the +acquired military bearing. Perhaps she felt that something different +and better had been made of the young country squire than she could +have done with her education. But she would not have confessed it at +any price. + +"And so you wish to build," she was saying; "I thought about as much. +The plain old house in which your father and I lived so many years is, +of course, not good enough for your little princess. She must be +surrounded by every available splendor. Well, I don't mind; you have +the money for it, and can allow yourself that pleasure. I am glad to +say I have not the responsibility of it any longer." + +"Do not act so grim, mamma," laughed Willibald. "If any one should hear +you, they would think you the worst of mothers-in-law, whereas if I did +not know it from Marietta's letters, I see it daily now, how you spoil +her and carry her upon your hands." + +"Oh, well, one likes to play with pretty dolls sometimes, even in old +age," replied Regine, dryly; "and your wife is such a delicate little +doll, who is only good for play. Do not imagine that she will ever get +to be a competent farm manager. I saw that from the first moment, and +have not allowed her to do it at all." + +"And you were right in that," joined in the young lord. "Work and +management are my part. My Marietta shall not be worried with it. But, +believe me, mamma, one can live and work quite differently when such a +sweet little _singvogel_ sings courage and love of work into one's +heart." + +"Boy, I believe you are crazy still," said Frau von Eschenhagen, with +her old grim manner. "Has it ever been known that a _sensible_ man--a +husband and estate owner--speaks so of his wife--'sweet little +_singvogel_'! Perhaps you get that from your bosom friend, Hartmut, who +is considered by you all as such a great poet. You always did imitate +him as a boy." + +"No, mamma, it is really my own. I have composed poetry but once in my +life, on the night when I saw Marietta in Hartmut's 'Arivana.' The poem +fell into my hands the other day, when I was putting my desk in order, +and I gave it to Hartmut, begging him to change it a little, for, +strange to say, the rhymes would not fit, and I had not done very well +with the meter. Do you know what he said? 'My dear Willy, your poem is +very beautiful as far as sentiment is concerned, but I advise you to +abandon poetry. Such verse is not to be tolerated, and your wife will +seek a divorce if you sing to her in this style.' That is how my 'bosom +friend' judges my poetical talent." + +"It serves you right, too. What does an estate owner have to do with +poetry?" said Regine, caustically. + +The door of the dining room was opened and a small head, running over +with dark curls, peeped out. + +"Is it permitted to disturb the assembly in their important business +discourse?" + +"Come along, you small elf," said Frau von Eschenhagen. But the +permission was superfluous, for the young wife had already flown into +her husband's open arms. He bent over her affectionately and whispered +something in her ear. + +"Are you commencing again?" scolded the mother. "It is really +unbearable in your presence nowadays." + +Marietta only turned her head, without freeing herself from the embrace +which held her so closely, and said, roguishly: "We are celebrating our +honeymoon after the long separation, and you must know from your own +experience how people act then, _nicht wahr_, mamma?" + +Regine shrugged her shoulders. Her honeymoon with the late Eschenhagen +had been of a different kind. + +"You received a letter from your grandfather, Marietta," she said, +changing the subject; "was it good news?" + +"The very best. Grandpapa is quite well and anticipating much pleasure +in his visit to Burgsdorf next month. But he writes that everything is +very quiet around Waldhofen since Rodeck has lost its master. +Everything is closed and desolate since the death of the young Prince. +Ostwalden is lonely, and Furstenstein will be deserted, too, after +Toni's marriage, which occurs in two weeks. Poor Uncle Schonan will be +all alone then." + +The last words were spoken with a certain emphasis as the young wife +threw a peculiar glance at her mother-in-law. + +That upright lady did not pay any attention to it, but only remarked: +"Yes, it is a strange notion of Hartmut and Adelaide to live here in +the pine forest in a small, rented villa during the first weeks of +their married life, while the large castle of Ostwalden and all of the +Stahlberg country seats are at their disposal." + +"They probably wished to remain with their father a little longer," +said Willibald. + +"Well, Falkenried could have taken a vacation in this case and gone +with them. Thank God that the man has really come back to life, since +that terrible bitterness has fallen from him, and he has his son again. +I knew well how very hard the flight of the boy struck him. He secretly +idolized him, while showing him only severity and requiring in turn +nothing but obedience. Of course, what Hartmut accomplished with that +night's ride, by which he saved his father with his troops, erases even +more than a senseless boy's escapade, for which the mother was really +to blame." + +"But we are cheated out of all the wedding festivities in the family," +pouted Marietta. "Willy and I had to be married quietly because the war +broke out, and now, after the war has happily ceased, Hartmut and +Adelaide do just like it." + +"My child, when one has gone through such things as Hartmut has, all +pleasure in festivities is lost," said Frau Eschenhagen, gravely. "And, +besides, he has not fully recuperated yet. You saw how pale he was at +the wedding. Adelaide's first marriage was, indeed, celebrated with +more pomp. Her father insisted upon it, in spite of his low state of +health, and the bride was really a queenly, if cold, apparition in her +satin train and her laces and diamonds. But, truly, she looked +different when she drew near the altar with her Hartmut, in the simple +white silk dress and the dainty veil. I never in my life saw her so +lovely. Poor Herbert! He never possessed the love of his wife." + +"But how could one love such an old Excellency in his diplomatic frock +coat? I could not have done it, either," said Marietta, pertly. + +But she had touched a weak point; her mother-in-law held the +remembrance of her brother in high esteem. + +"The necessity would never have come to you," she remarked, with pique. +"A man like Herbert von Wallmoden would hardly have wooed you--you +little saucy----" + +But she got no further, for the saucy little sprite already hung around +her neck coaxingly. + +"Please don't get angry, mamma. How can I help it that my most +undiplomatic Willy is dearer to me than all the Excellencies in the +whole world, and he is that to you, too; eh, mamma?" + +"You little flatterer!" Regine tried in vain to keep up her severe +mien. "You know very well that nobody can get angry with you. A regime +will now probably commence here at Burgsdorf which has had no +precedent. Willy is ashamed before me now, but after I am gone, he will +surrender to you upon grace or displeasure." + +"Mamma, do you still cling to that idea?" asked Willibald, +reproachfully. "Will you go now, when everything is love and peace +between us?" + +"Just because of that I shall go, so that it may remain. Do not oppose +it, my son. I have to be first where I live and work. You want to be +that now; therefore it is best we are not together; and your little +princess must not get angry about it. We have heretofore had great +anxiety about you, and people do not quarrel when they have to tremble +anew each day for husband and son. But that is over now, and I am still +too much of the old kind to fit myself to your youth. Do whatever you +like, but things must go as I like in my house, and therefore I go." + +She turned and went into the house, while the young lord looked after +her with a half-suppressed sigh. + + + + + CHAPTER LX. + + +"She is right, perhaps," Willibald said, half aloud, as his +mother vanished; "but she will be unhappy alone, and without the +long-accustomed activity. I know that she will not be able to bear the +enforced rest. You ought to have begged her to remain, too, Marietta." + +The young wife laid her curly head upon her husband's shoulder and +looked at him roguishly. + +"Oh, no; I shall do something better. I shall see to it that mamma does +not get unhappy when she leaves us." + +"You? How will you do that?" + +"Quite easily. I shall marry mamma off." + +"But, Marietta, what are you thinking of?" + +"Oh, you wise Willy; have you really not noticed anything?" laughed +Marietta, and it was the old, silvery laugh with which she had +bewitched him at Waldhofen. "And you do not know why Uncle Schonan was +in such a grim temper when we saw him in Berlin three days ago? And why +he did not want to come to Burgsdorf at all, although we begged him so +much? Mamma did not ask him, because she feared a renewed proposal. He +understood it, and consequently he was so angry. I have known all about +it ever so long; even at the time when mamma came to us at Waldhofen, +and he told her so fiercely that she would only use him as a secondary +person at a wedding. I saw then that he would like to be one of the +principals. Willy, you are making a superb face now! You look exactly +as you did at the beginning of our acquaintance." + +The young lord did not, indeed, look very intellectual in his boundless +surprise. He had never considered the possibility of his mother +marrying again, and to her brother-in-law, besides! But it broke upon +him that this was an excellent solution of the difficulty. + +"Marietta, you are surpassingly clever!" he cried, looking with the +greatest admiration at his wife, who accepted the homage with much +satisfaction. + +"I am even more clever than you think," she said, triumphantly, "for I +have put the matter to rights. I got behind Uncle Schonan and gave him +to understand that if he would storm once more now, the fortress would +probably surrender. He grumbled mightily and said that he had had +enough of it and did not want to be made a fool of again; but at last +he reconsidered the matter. He arrived fifteen minutes ago. I did not +dare tell mamma anything about it, and--here he is!" + +She nodded to the Chief Forester, who emerged upon the terrace and +heard the last words. + +"Yes, here I am; but take care, little woman, if you have 'led me +behind the light,' for"--to Willibald--"I have come solely at her +request. She has probably given you the details about how it stands +with us--that is, with me, for your Frau Mamma is probably again +unreasonable, obstinate and self-willed as she usually is--but I will +marry her yet!" + +"All right, uncle, if she will only have you," laughed Willibald, who +could not help thinking this description of his mother from a wooer +very peculiar. + +"Yes, that is the question," said Schonan, doubtfully; "but your wife +thinks----" + +"That we dare not lose another minute!" interrupted Marietta. "Mamma is +in her room, and has no conception of the attack. Willy and I will +remain in the background, and join in the battle if the worst should +happen. Forward, march, uncle; forward, Willy!" + +And Frau Marietta von Eschenhagen, with her little, delicate hands +pushed the stately Chief Forester and her huge husband forward, without +more ado. They patiently submitted, although Schonan muttered: + +"Strange how they all understand how to order one about--little ones as +well as big ones. It must be born in them." + +Regine von Eschenhagen stood at the window of her room, looking out +upon her beloved Burgsdorf, which she intended to leave in a few days. + +Much as she was convinced of the wisdom of this decision, it was yet +not easy to execute it. The strong, restlessly active woman, who had +stood thirty years at the head of a large work, felt a shudder at the +rest and inactivity which awaited her. She had been made acquainted +with the city life during her first separation from her son, and had +been very unhappy in it. + +The door opened and the Chief Forester entered. + +"Moritz, you here!" Regine started with surprise. "This is sensible of +you to come." + +"Yes, I am always sensible," remarked Herr von Schonan, very pointedly. +"Although you did not have the grace to invite me, I came to get your +consent to attend Toni's wedding. Of course, you will come to +Furstenstein with your children?" + +"Yes, certainly we will come; but we were all much surprised at this +haste. Did you not intend to buy an estate first? And that is not +usually accomplished so quickly." + +"No, but they want to get married. Our victors have become very +assuming since their heroic deeds. Waldorf simply declared upon his +return, 'Papa, you said when I left, First win in war and then marry; +now we have won and now I want to marry. I'll not wait any longer. The +estate has time to wait, but not the wedding, for that is the most +important.' So, since Toni is also convinced of this importance, +nothing was left for me to do but to name the wedding day." + +Frau von Eschenhagen laughed. + +"Yes, young people are quick to marry, and they have so much time to +wait." + +"But it is not so with older folks," said Schonan, who had only been +looking for this opportunity and speedily made use of it. "Have you +considered the question at last, Regine?" + +"What question?" + +"Our marrying. I hope you are now in the 'humor' for it?" + +Regine turned away, somewhat offended. + +"You like to be abrupt, Moritz. How did you get into the notion so +suddenly?" + +"What! you call that sudden?" the Chief Forester cried, indignantly. "I +made my first proposal to you five years ago; the second one last year, +and now I come for the third time, and yet you have not had sufficient +time to consider. Yes or no? If you send me away this time, I shall not +come back--depend upon that--and the whole courtship can go where it +wants to." + +Regine did not answer, but it was not indecision which made her +hesitate. Even this strange, original nature had a spice of deep +romance in her heart--love for the man who was once to be her husband, +Hartmut von Falkenried. When he had married another, she too had +pledged her hand, for she was not the kind to mourn her life away +uselessly; but the same bitter pain which had stung the young girl when +she approached the altar, awoke now again in the aging woman and closed +her lips; but it lasted only a few moments, then she threw the dream +from her with decision, and stretched out her hand to von Schonan. + +"Well, then, yes, Moritz. I will be a good and true wife to you." + +"Thank God!" cried Schonan, with a deep sigh of relief, for he had +taken the hesitation as a preliminary to a third refusal. "You should +have said that five years ago, Regine, but better late than never. At +last we have gotten so far." + +And with that the persistent wooer enclosed the finally won life +companion in a hearty embrace. + + + + + CHAPTER LXI. + + +It was a hot summer day. Even in the forest one felt something of the +intense heat which flickered upon meadows and fields. Upon the forest +path a little group walked beneath the tall firs. It was General +Falkenried, with his son and daughter, who were accompanying him a part +of the way to Burgsdorf, where he intended making a visit. + +Falkenried had indeed become another person. + +The war which had been fatal to so many, and made others old before +their time, in spite of the victories and triumphs won, appeared to +have been a source of rejuvenation to him. Although the white hair and +deep furrows in the face remained, witnesses not to be erased of a +painful time, yet the face had life in it again; the eyes had regained +their old fire, and one saw now at the first glance that the man was +not so old, but stood yet in the fulness and power of life. + +Hartmut had not yet entirely recovered, as his appearance proved. The +campaign had not made him younger. He looked older and graver, and the +still pale face, with the broad red scar upon the forehead, spoke of a +time of heavy suffering. + +The wound in itself had not been serious, but had become so through the +severe loss of blood, and the overexertion of the ride in the night of +the severe cold, so that at first all hope had been abandoned, and it +required months of careful nursing to give Hartmut back to life. + +But the old Hartmut, the son of Zalika, with his wild blood and +unbridled desire for freedom, had also died in this time of suffering. +It seemed as if with the name Rojanow, which he had cast forever from +him, the unfortunate inheritance from the mother had also been lost. +The heavy, dark curls were just beginning to grow again, and the high, +powerful forehead appeared more striking in its resemblance to his +father. + +But the young wife at his side bloomed in the fullest beauty of youth +and happiness. Whoever had seen her in her cold hauteur--her icy, +unapproachable manner, would hardly have recognized her in this bright, +slender woman, in her light summer costume, with fresh forest flowers +in her hand. + +The smile and tone with which she spoke to her husband and father had +never been known to Frau von Wallmoden; they had been learned only by +Adelaide von Falkenried. + +"Not any farther, now," said the General, pausing in their walk. "You +have to take the return walk, and Hartmut must still be careful. The +physicians request that he be very prudent." + +"Father, if you only knew how depressing it feels to be considered an +invalid still, when I already feel full of life and power! I am really +well." + +"Do not place in jeopardy again what has been so hardly won," continued +the father. "You have not yet learned patience, but fortunately I know +you are under Ada's supervision, and she is strict on this subject." + +"Yes, had it not been for Ada, there probably would not have been +anything to take care of," said Hartmut, with a look of deepest +affection upon his wife. "I believe I was in rather a hopeless +condition when she came to me." + +"The physicians, at least, gave me no hope when I sent off the dispatch +which called Ada to your side. You called for her in your first +conscious moment, to my boundless surprise, for I did not dream that +you ever knew each other." + +"Was it not right to you, Papa?" asked the young wife, looking +smilingly up to the father, who drew her to his breast and pressed a +kiss upon her brow. + +"You know best what you are to Hartmut and me, my child. I thanked God +that I could leave him under your nursing when I had to march on. And +you were right, too, when you persuaded him to remain here, although +the doctors wished to send him away. He has to learn to feel at home +first in the fatherland--must learn to understand and love again that +from which he has so long been estranged." + +"_Has_ to learn it?" said Ada reproachfully. "What he read to you and +me to-day I should think would show that he has learned it already, and +that this new work bears another language from the wild, glowing +Arivana." + +"Yes, Hartmut, your new work is of great merit," said Falkenried, +giving his hand to his son. "I believe the fatherland will be proud of +my boy, even in times of peace." + +Hartmut's eyes sparkled as he returned the pressure of the hand. He +knew what praise from his father's lips was worth. + +"And now, good-by." The General kissed his daughter-in-law again, "I +will drive from Burgsdorf directly to town, but we shall see each other +in a few days again. Farewell, children!" + +When he had disappeared behind the trees, Hartmut and Adelaide turned +on their homeward way, which led them by the Burgsdorf pond. +Involuntarily they paused beside it, and gazed upon the calm sheet of +water which lay so shiningly in the sun with its wreath of rushes and +water lilies. + +"I have played boys' games here so often with Willy," said Hartmut +softly, "and here my future was decided on that fatal night. I realize +only now what I did to my father in that unfortunate hour." + +"But you have atoned for it fully," returned Ada, leaning her head on +her husband's shoulder. "It has been wiped out before the world, too, +which overwhelmed you and father on all sides with admiration and +appreciation when it was known who had done that heroic deed." + +Hartmut shook his head gravely. + +"It was a deed of despair, not heroism. I did not believe that it would +succeed--nobody believed it; but even if I had fallen I should have +regained my lost honor by that ride through the enemy. Egon knew that, +and for that reason he put the rescue into my hands. When we said +farewell that icy winter night in the shattered walls of the little +chapel, we both felt that it was a final farewell, but we thought, too, +that I should be the victim, for I went into almost certain death. Fate +decreed differently. I was borne as by spirit hands through the dangers +to the accomplishment of my aim, and almost at the same hour Egon fell. +You need not hide your tears from me, Ada; I am not jealous of the +dead, for I loved him just as--he loved you." + +"Eugene brought me his last greeting," said the young wife, in whose +eyes shone the tears she had wished to conceal from her husband. "And +Stadinger, too, wrote me to fulfill his dying master's last request. I +fear the old man will not live much longer; his letter sounded as if he +were utterly crushed." + +"Poor Egon!" In Hartmut's voice sounded the deep pain he felt for his +friend. "He was so full of sunny happiness and joy; he was created for +it and to give it. Perhaps you would have been happier at his side, +Ada, than with your wild, passionate Hartmut, who will trouble you +often enough with the dark side of his nature." + +Ada smiled up at him with the tears still in her eyes. "But I love this +wild, stormy Hartmut, and do not desire any greater happiness than to +be his wife." + +The forest lake lay in dreamy noonday stillness; grave and dark stood +the old firs over it; the rushes at its border whispered low, and +thousands of bright sparkles danced upon its surface. + +Above it curved the blue sky into which the boy had once wished to soar +like the falcon of which his race bore the name, higher and higher to +the sun. It beamed, too, now up there in shining splendor the powerful, +eternal sign of flame in the heavens! + + + + [THE END.] + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sign of Flame, by E. Werner + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIGN OF FLAME *** + +***** This file should be named 35069.txt or 35069.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/0/6/35069/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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